1952 Helsinki Olympics

The 1952 Helsinki Olympics was the 15th Summer Games, held in Helsinki, Finland. It marked Finland’s first time hosting and featured athletes from 69 countries competing in 149 events across 17 sports. The games showcased the post-WWII era's international unity and included notable performances such as Emil Zátopek’s triumphs in long-distance running. Notably, the Soviet Union participated for the first time, and the Soviet team made a strong debut. The event highlighted rising Cold War tensions and the growing importance of global sports as a platform for peaceful competition among nations.