Helsinki 1952: Summer Olympics at the height of the Cold War

Russian athletes (in white) march past during the opening ceremony of the 15th Summer Olympic Games in Helsinki, 19 July 1952, at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium. © AP

From 19 July to 3 August 1952, the Finnish capital Helsinki hosted the 15th Summer Olympics, the first games of the modern era. The world's biggest sporting event after the Second World War took place at the height of the Cold War and marked the beginning of East-West rivalry.

The capital of Finland was chosen by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to host the 1940 Summer Olympics, replacing those held in Tokyo. However, those Games were cancelled because of the Second World War.