Finland at the 1952 Summer Olympics

Finland played a special role in the 1952 Summer Olympics because the games were held in its capital city, Helsinki. As the host nation, Finland welcomed athletes from all over the world to compete together. Over 250 athletes from Finland joined in, including both men and women, who took part in many different sports.

The Finnish athletes worked hard and did very well. They brought home a total of 22 medals from the games. Hosting the Olympics was a proud moment for Finland, showing their love for sports and their ability to organize big international events. The 1952 Olympics remain an important part of Finland’s history.

Athletics

Main article: Athletics at the 1952 Summer Olympics

Finland hosted the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. Many athletes from Finland took part in running and other track and field events. The games were a big celebration of sports, with competitors from all over the world.

Basketball

Main article: Basketball at the 1952 Summer Olympics

In the 1952 Summer Olympics, Finland’s men’s basketball team competed in the main round of Group B. They played against Mexico, the Soviet Union, and Bulgaria but did not win any of their matches. As a result, they did not move forward in the competition and finished in 16th place.

The team included players such as Juhani Kyöstilä, Raine Nuutinen, Raimo Lindholm, Timo Suviranta, Pentti Laaksonen, Oiva Virtanen, Esko Karhunen, Eero Salonen, Pertti Mutru, and Tapio Pöyhönen, along with Kauko Heinänen and Tuomo Ristola.

Boxing

Main article: Boxing at the 1952 Summer Olympics

Finland hosted the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, where athletes from many countries competed in boxing. This was one of the sports featured in the games, and many talented boxers from around the world took part.

Canoeing

Main article: Canoeing at the 1952 Summer Olympics

Finland took part in canoeing events during the 1952 Summer Olympics held in Helsinki. Many athletes from different countries competed in these events, showing their skills in navigating through the water. The games were a celebration of sport and teamwork.

Cycling

Main article: Cycling at the 1952 Summer Olympics

In the cycling events at the 1952 Summer Olympics, Finnish athletes took part in both road and track competitions. In the men's individual road race, Raino Koskenkorva finished in 42nd place, while three other Finnish cyclists did not finish the race. On the track, Onni Kasslin placed 14th in the men's 1.000m time trial, and Helge Törn finished in last place in the men's 1.000m sprint scratch race.

Diving

Main article: Diving at the 1952 Summer Olympics

Men

Athlete	Event	Preliminary		Final
Athlete	Event	Points	Rank	Points	Rank
Olavi Heinonen	3 m springboard	58.06	29	Did not advance
Helge Vasenius	3 m springboard	65.41	14	Did not advance
Birger Kivelä	10 m platform	67.31	13	Did not advance

Equestrian

Main article: Equestrian at the 1952 Summer Olympics

Finland took part in equestrian events during the 1952 Summer Olympics held in Helsinki. Many riders from different countries, including Finland, competed in these events. Equestrian sports involve horses and riders performing various skills and tasks.

Fencing

Main article: Fencing at the 1952 Summer Olympics

Eleven fencers from Finland, eight men and three women, competed in the fencing events at the 1952 Summer Olympics. The men took part in foil, épée, and team épée competitions, while the women competed in foil.

The Finnish fencers included:

Men's foil

Men's épée

Men's team épée

Kauko Jalkanen, Erkki Kerttula, Rolf Wiik, Nils Sjöblom, Jaakko Vuorinen, Paavo Miettinen

Women's foil

Football

Main article: Football at the 1952 Summer Olympics

Finland hosted the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, and football was one of the sports featured in the games. Many players from different countries competed to win medals in this exciting sport.

Gymnastics

Main article: Gymnastics at the 1952 Summer Olympics

Finland hosted the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, and many athletes took part in gymnastics events. This sport tested balance, strength, and flexibility, with competitors performing routines on different apparatuses. The Olympics allowed athletes to showcase their skills and compete for medals.

Hockey

Main article: Field hockey at the 1952 Summer Olympics

Finland hosted the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, and field hockey was one of the sports included in the games. The event brought together teams from many countries to compete in this exciting sport.

Modern pentathlon

Main article: Modern pentathlon at the 1952 Summer Olympics

Three men from Finland competed in the modern pentathlon in 1952. They won a bronze medal in the team event. The athletes were Ole Mannonen, Lauri Vilkko, and Olavi Rokka.

Individual

Team

Ole Mannonen
Lauri Vilkko
Olavi Rokka

Rowing

Main article: Rowing at the 1952 Summer Olympics

Finland had 26 male rowers in the 1952 Olympics. They competed in all seven rowing events. The rowers took part in different teams, from single sculls to the eight-person boat. Each team had its own set of athletes who worked together to row as fast as they could.

Sailing

Main article: Sailing at the 1952 Summer Olympics

Finland hosted the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, and sailing was one of the sports included in the games. Many athletes from different countries competed in sailing events during this exciting Olympic event.

Shooting

Main article: Shooting at the 1952 Summer Olympics

Eleven shooters from Finland competed in the 1952 Olympics. Vilho Ylönen earned a silver medal in the 50 m rifle event, and Tauno Mäki won a bronze medal in the 100m running deer.

Swimming

Main article: Swimming at the 1952 Summer Olympics

In the 1952 Summer Olympics held in Helsinki, Finland, athletes from many countries competed in swimming events. There were races for men and women, and the rankings were given for each heat.

Athlete	Event	Heat		Semifinal		Final
Athlete	Event	Time	Rank	Time	Rank	Time	Rank
Pentti Ikonen	100 m freestyle	1:01.1	5	Did not advance
Leo Telivuo		1:02.0	5	Did not advance
Mauno Valkeinen		1:02.5	6	Did not advance
Einari Aalto	400 m freestyle	5:15.8	5	Did not advance
Pentti Ikonen		4:55.7	5	Did not advance
Pentti Paatsalo		5:09.3	6	Did not advance
Erkki Marttinen	100 m backstroke	1:15.2	6	Did not advance
Aulis Kähkönen	200 m breaststroke	2:43.8	4	Did not advance
Juha Tikka	200 m breaststroke	2:46.3	4	Did not advance
Pentti Ikonen Pentti Paatsalo Mauno Valkeinen Leo Telivuo	4 × 200 m freestyle	9:26.6	6	—N/a		Did not advance

Athlete	Event	Heat		Semifinal		Final
Athlete	Event	Time	Rank	Time	Rank	Time	Rank
Ritva Järvinen	100 m freestyle	1:11.5	5	Did not advance
Ritva Koivula		1:17.3	7	Did not advance
Raili Riuttala		1:13.5	7	Did not advance
Ritva Järvinen	400 m freestyle	5:53.5	7	Did not advance
Anneli Haaranen	100 m backstroke	1:21.7	6	—N/a		Did not advance
Kaija Mäkelä	200 m breaststroke	3:04.7	4 Q	3:06.2	8	Did not advance
Raili Riuttala Ritva Koivula Anneli Haaranen Ritva Järvinen	4 × 100 m freestyle	4:56.0	7	—N/a		Did not advance

Weightlifting

Main article: Weightlifting at the 1952 Summer Olympics

In the 1952 Summer Olympics held in Helsinki, Finland, weightlifting was one of the sports featured. Athletes from many countries competed to see who could lift the most weight in different categories. The event was part of the overall games where Finland welcomed the world to its capital city.

Wrestling

Main article: Wrestling at the 1952 Summer Olympics

In the 1952 Summer Olympics held in Helsinki, Finland, wrestling was one of the sports featured. Finnish athletes competed alongside others from around the world in this exciting event. Wrestling at these Olympics included various matches where competitors tested their strength and skill.