Helsinki 1952

Olympic Games Helsinki 1952 Medals

Front: Seated Nike, goddess of victory holding laurel wreath and palm branch. Colosseum in background.

Back: Victorious athlete with palm branch carried in triumph by jubliant athletes, stadium in background.

Prize medals awarded in dark blue square case with Olympic rings embossed on cover.

Designer: Giuseppe Cassioli and Aukusti Tuhka [legend]
Mint: Kultakeskus Oy

Pat McCormick won both the springboard and platform diving events in 1952 and again at the Melbourne 1956 Games. She is the only woman diver in history to win four gold medals and her double-double has only been matched by Greg Louganis.

Ford Konno of Hawaii led the United States in most swimming medals: gold in 1,500-meter freestyle and 4x200 freestyle, and a silver medal in 400 freestyle.

The Finnish hero of heroes, Paavo Nurmi ran the Olympic torch into the stadium at Helsinki at the age of 55. Nurmi handed the torch to Hannes Kolehmainen, second only to Nurmi among the Finnish sporting heroes. The 62 year-old Kolehmainen ascended the stairs of the stadium and lit the Olympic flame at the top of the tower.