1956 Winter Olympics

7th edition of Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy

The 1956 Winter Olympics, officially known as the VII Olympic Winter Games, were held in 1956 in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. This was the first time the Soviet Union played in the Olympics. They immediately showed their strength by winning more medals than any other nation.

VII Olympic Winter Games
Host cityCortina d'Ampezzo, Veneto, Italy [1]
Nations32
Athletes821 (687 men, 134 women)
Events24 in 4 sports (8 disciplines)
Opening26 January
Closing5 February
Opened by
Cauldron
StadiumStadio Olimpico Del Ghiaccio
Winter
Oslo 1952 Squaw Valley 1960
Summer
Helsinki 1952 Melbourne 1956

Participating nations change

A total of 32 nations sent athletes to Cortina d'Ampezzo. Bolivia, Iran, and the Soviet Union competed at the Winter Games for the first time. Korea, Liechtenstein, and Turkey returned after having missed the 1952 Winter Olympics. Argentina, Denmark, New Zealand, and Portugal did not compete at these Games, after participating in 1952.

Athletes from West Germany (FRG) and East Germany (GDR) competed together as the United Team of Germany at these Games, an arrangement that would continue for the next two Olympiads.

References change

  1. Italy is a devolved state since 1948.

Other websites change