1956 Summer Olympics - Highlights

Highlights

• Hungary and the Soviet Union were both present at the Games which, among other things, led to a hotly contested and violent water polo encounter between the nations.
• Athletes from both East and West Germany competed in a combined team. This remarkable combination would disappear at the 1968 Summer Olympics.
• Australian athlete Betty Cuthbert became the "Golden Girl" by winning three track gold medals. Her performance was equalled by sprinter Bobby Morrow.
• Another Australian, Murray Rose, won three gold medals in swimming.
• Soviet runner Vladimir Kuts won both the 5000m and 10000m.
• Inspired by Australian teenager John Wing, an Olympic tradition began when athletes of different nations are allowed to parade together at the closing ceremony, instead of with their national teams, as a symbol of world unity.

During the Games there will be only one nation. War, politics and nationalities will be forgotten. What more could anybody want if the world could be made one nation.
—Extract from a letter by John Ian Wing to the Olympic organisers, 1956

• Laszlo Papp defended his light-middleweight boxing title, gaining an unprecedented third gold.
• Ronnie Delany won gold for Ireland in the 1500m final. It is the last gold medal Ireland has won in a track event.
• The India national field hockey team won its sixth consecutive gold