History, Helsinki (1952)

• The 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games, officially known as the games of the XV Olympiad, were held in Helsinki (Finland) between 19th July and 3rd August, 1952. Participated 4,955 Athletes (519 women and 4,436 men) from 69 countries, which competed in 149 competitions and 17 sports competitions took part.

• Helsinki’s Olympics Games became history as the Edition where more Olympic records and world records were beaten, brand that was not surpassed until Beijing 2008.

Olympic Torch

• Helsinki 1952 was the first in which the carriers of the Olympic fire carried a torch designed especially for the occasion.

• In Olympics Games in 1936, edition in which was established the tradition of the Olympic torch, and in 1948, it was usual that the carriers of the Olympic flame carried her own torch and, after crossing the fire, they were left to remember.

• In total, 7,870 kilometers traveled to arrive at the Olympic Stadium of Helsinki, where the athlete Paavo Nurmi lit the Cauldron.

Organization

• The Organization of the Helsinki Olympic Games in 1952 was the organizer of the XV Olympiad Helsinki Committee. Its President was Erik Von Frenckell.

• The Finnish Government along with the Organizing Committee established more than 20 venues and sports facilities for the dispute of the tests. The majority were concentrated in Helsinki and its metropolitan area except for the modern pentathlon, fencing and some football matches, which took place in nearby cities. Most of the venues were already built for the Organization of the Olympic Games in 1940, which never took place, and could be used for 1952 with some reforms. The Olympic ring is located in the District of Töölö.

Swimming and diving tests were performed in the Helsinki Swimming Stadium.

• The Olympic stadium was the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, officially inaugurated in 1938, with those dates capacity for 50,000 spectators. For the Olympics, was built to the East of the stadium a harrow extra wood, demolished at the end of the games, which increased the seating capacity up to 70,000 people.

Countries that participated

Some events

• Cycling: The cycling competition at the 1952 Summer Olympics consisted of two road cycling events and four track cycling events, all for men only.

• Rowing: Rowing at the 1952 Summer Olympics featured 7 events, for men only. The competitions were held from July 20th, 1952 to July 23rd , 1952.

• Weightlifting: consisted of seven weight classes, all for men only. The middle-heavyweight division was a newly created weight class, moving the heavyweight class up from 82.5 kg to 90 kg. The events were held at Messuhalli.

Athletics - Emil Zatopek

Medal count