Helsinki 1940

Olympic Games Helsinki 1940 (Cancelled) Participation Medals

Front: Helsinki Olympic Stadium in center with legend: "XII Olympia Helsink 1940."

Back: Olympic torch bearer superimposed over globe. Legend: "XII Olympia 1940 Helsingfors" with laurel leaves surrounding center.
Some confusion exists as to which side is the front of the medal and which is the back.

Designer: Ilmari Sysimetsa
Mint: Hopeatehdas Oy

The 1940 Olympic Games were originally scheduled to be held Sept. 21, 1940-Oct. 6, 1940, in Tokyo. They were rescheduled for Helsinki, Finland, July 20-Aug. 4, 1940, when Japan forfeited both the Summer and Winter Games. Unfortunately, the Olympic Games were ultimately cancelled due to the outbreak of WWII.

The participation medals were made from gilt tombac, silvered tombac and tombac. Tombac is an alloy comprised of copper and zinc. After WWII, they were sold to raise funds for the Viipuri district of the Finnish Gymnastics Federation. In 1976 the remaining medals were sold to raise funds for Finnish Olympic sports, especially biathlon, boxing and gymnastics.