1956 Summer Olympics

The 1956 Summer Olympics, held in Melbourne, Australia, featured athletes from around the world competing in sports like athletics, swimming, and gymnastics. Notably, these Games were impacted by geopolitical tensions; several countries boycotted in protest of events like the Soviet Union's invasion of Hungary and the Suez Crisis. The equestrian events were held separately in Stockholm due to Australia's strict quarantine laws. The Games showcased remarkable performances, including athlete Ingrid Bergman’s artistic swimming and the Soviet Union topping the medal count. It was a historic event marked by both athletic excellence and the tense international climate of the Cold War era.