Wikipedia: 1952 Summer Olympics

1952 Summer Olympics
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

The Games of the XV Olympiad were held in 1952 in Helsinki, Finland. Helsinki had been elected as the host city over rival bids from Amsterdam and five American cities.

Games of the XV Olympiad

Nations participating 69

Athletes participating 4,925 (4,407 men, 518 women)

Events 149 in 17 sports

Opening ceremonies July 19, 1952

Closing ceremonies August 3, 1952

Officially opened by Juho Kusti Paasikivi

Athlete's Oath Heikki Savolainen
?

Judge's Oath: -

Olympic Torch Paavo Nurmi and Hannes Kolehmainen

Highlights

To the enjoyment of the Finnish crowd, the Olympic Flame was lit by two heroes, runners Paavo Nurmi and Hannes Kolehmainen.
For the first time in history, a team from the Soviet Union participated in the Olympics.
After being barred from participation in 1948, Germany was allowed to compete again, but only West German athletes took part.
Rules in equestrianism now allowed non-military officers to compete, including women. Lis Hartel of Denmark became the first woman in the sport to win a medal.
Emil Zátopek of Czechoslovakia won three gold medals in long-distance running.
Bob Mathias of the United States became the first Olympian to successfully defend his decathlon title.
Josy Barthel of the tiny country of Luxembourg pulled a major surprise by winning the 1500 m.

Medals awarded

See the medal winners, ordered by sport:

Athletics
Basketball
Boxing
Canoeing
Cycling
Diving
Equestrianism
Fencing
Football
Gymnastics
Hockey
Modern Pentathlon
Rowing
Shooting
Swimming
Water Polo
Weightlifting
Wrestling
Yachting

Medal count

Pos Country Gold Silver Bronze Total

References

Internal links

External links

IOC Site on 1952 Summer Olympics

Bibliography

Summer Olympics

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