1956 Summer Olympics

The Games of the XVI Olympiad were held in 1956 in Melbourne, Australia, although the equestrian events could not be held in Australia due to quarantine regulations. Therefore, these events were held in Stockholm(Sweden) marking the second, and so far last time, that events of the same Olympics were held in different countries.

Games of the XVI Olympiad

Nations participating 67

Athletes participating 3,184 (2,813 men, 371 women)

Events 145 in 17 sports

Opening ceremonies November 22, 1956
June 10, 1956

Closing ceremonies December 8, 1956
June 17, 1956

Officially opened by Prince Philip
Gustav VI Adolf of Sweden

Athlete's Oath John Landy
?

Judge's Oath: -

Olympic Torch Ron Clarke
Hans Wikne

Table of contents

1 Highlights
2 Medals awarded
3 Medal count
4 References

4.1 Internal links
4.2 External links
4.3 Bibliography

Highlights

Because Melbourne is situated in the southern hemisphere, the Olympics are held late in the year.
Two international events lead to nations boycotting the Olympics. The first is the British and French involvement in the Suez Crisis, which leads to the absence of Egypt, Lebanon and Iraq. The Soviet handling of the Hungarian revolution leads to the absence of Spain, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Hungary and the Soviet Union were themselves present, which among others led to a hotly contested and violent water polo encounter between the nations. In total, 45 Hungarians defected to the West after the Olympics. A third boycott came from the People's Republic of China, which protested against presence of Taiwan (under the name Formosa).
After being banned from the Olympics in 1948, a team of only West German athletes took part in 1952. This year, athletes from both East and West Germany would compete in a combined team. This remarkable combination would disappear at the 1968 Summer Olympics.
Home-runner Betty Cuthbert becomes the "Golden Girl" by winning three track gold medals. Her performance is equalled by sprinter Bobby Joe Morrow.
Another Australian, Murray Rose, also wins three gold medals in the swimming pool.
Soviet runner Vladimir Kuts wins both the 5000 and 10000 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 1956 Summer Olympics

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