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When the OLYMPIC Flame Went Out The War Years 1940 - 1944.  The anticipated 1940 Winter Olympics, which would have been officially known as the V Olympic Winter Games, were to be celebrated in 1940 in Sapporo, Japan on February 3 - 12, 1940. The games were cancelled because of the start of World War II. Sapporo was chosen by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to be the host of the V Olympic Winter Games, but after the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937, Japan gave the Games back to the IOC in July 1938 The IOC decided to give the Winter Olympics to St. Moritz, Switzerland, but because of some problems between the Swiss organization team and the IOC, the Games were withdrawn again. The IOC then gave the 1940 Winter Olympics to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. The Games were scheduled to be celebrated between February 2 to 11, 1940, but three months later, World War II began and the Winter Games were cancelled in November 1939. St. Moritz later held the 1948 Winter Olympics and Sapporo held the 1972 Winter Olympics. Garmisch-Partenkirchen had hosted the 1936 Winter Olympics.