1952 Summer Olympics

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 June 21 1947 on the 40th IOC session. Helsinki had been earlier given the 1940 Summer Olympics but they were canceled due to World War II.

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 USSR participated in the Olympics. The first gold medal for the USSR was won by Nina Romashkova in women's Discus Throwing Event. The Soviet women's gymnastics team won the first of its eight consecutive gold medals.
• 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.