30 NOCs (Nations)

694 athletes (109 women, 585 men)

22 events

Oslo 15 February 1952. The Norvegian ski champion Lauritz Bergendal hands the Olympic Flame over to the last torch bearer.

Official opening of the Games by: Her Royal Highness Princess Ragnhild

Lighting the Olympic Flame by: Eigil Nansen, grandson of the famous explorer Fridtjof Nansen.

Olympic Oath by: Torbjorn Falkanger (ski jumping)

Official Oath by: The first officials' oath was sworn at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.

Dick Button (USA-figure skating) could have won the Olympic championship by merely performing a safe programme. Instead, he chose to attempt a triple loop, even though no skater had ever performed it in competition. He landed his innovative jump perfectly and the judges were unanimous in voting him the winner. [Full story]

Nordic skiing event first open to women. [Full story]