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 participating69
Athletes participating4,925 (4,407 men, 518 women)
Events149 in 17 sports
Opening ceremoniesJuly 19, 1952
Closing ceremoniesAugust 3, 1952
Officially opened byJuho Kusti Paasikivi
Athlete's OathHeikki Savolainen
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Judge's Oath:-
Olympic TorchPaavo Nurmi and Hannes Kolehmainen

Table of contents
1 Highlights
2 Medals awarded
3 Medal count
4 References

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

PosCountryGoldSilverBronzeTotal

References

Internal links

External links

Bibliography


Summer Olympics

1896 | 1900 | 1904 | 1906 | 1908 | 1912 | 1920 | 1924 | 1928 | 1932 | 1936 | 1948 | 1952 | 1956 | 1960 | 1964 | 1968 | 1972 | 1976 | 1980 | 1984 | 1988 | 1992 | 1996 | 2000 | 2004 | 2008 | 2012

Winter Olympics

1924 | 1928 | 1932 | 1936 | 1948 | 1952 | 1956 | 1960 | 1964 | 1968 | 1972 | 1976 | 1980 | 1984 | 1988 | 1992 | 1994 | 1998 | 2002 | 2006 | 2010