Helsinki, 1952

Helsinki were scheduled to host the Olympics in 1940 after Tokyo pulled out, however the Games were cancelled altogether after the outbreak of WW2. Helsinki had to wait until 1952 to host the Games
In Helsinki in 1952, the Soviet Union rejoined the Olympic Games having been absent since 1912. A cold-war atmosphere dominated these games as the Soviets set up a rival Olympic village for Eastern Bloc countries.
The U.S. edged out the U.S.S.R. in the overall medal count - 76 to 71.

Athletes

In 1952, Emil Zatopek of Czechoslovakia became the only man to win gold medals in the 5000 meters, the 10,000 meters, and the marathon in the same Olympiad. He set Olympic records in all these events, and he had never run the marathon before.
Soviet Maria Gorokhovskaya - unhindered by the limits set on female competitors at earlier Games - set a record for most medals won by a woman in one Olympics, with two golds and five silvers.