Did you know?

For the first time, a formal attribution procedure

A 30-minute presentation by each city, abstentions by IOC members from countries involved, voting up to the point of obtaining an absolute majority. Cities who were interested- Athens (GRE), Lausanne (SUI), Stockholm (SUI)

Two new countries participating in the games

The USSR and Israel came to the Olympic Games for the first time.

The beginning of Olympic numismatics

The first commemorative coin of the modern Olympic Games was made in 1951-52.

Cultural affairs

Replacement of the art competition by exhibitions.

The two Germanys

Germany came back under the aegis of a new National Olympic Committee (NOC), that of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG). East German had also created a new NOC but did not send any athletes.

Women and men together

Mixed events took place in the equestrian competitions.

(Credit: IOC. Click here for further information.)