Melbourne 1956

Melbourne 1956

XVI edition of the Summer Olympics

22 November - 08 December 1956

Held at the lowest latitude ever and awarded to Melbourne beating Buenos Aires by only one vote, the 1956 Games were characterised by being held much later in the year than usual, and events taking place in two locations, with equestrian events held in Stockholm. In addition, the serious events that took place during those months - the Suez war and the invasion of Hungary by the Red Army - led to the first cases of political boycott in Olympic history. The atmosphere of great tension was epitomised by the gold medal match in water polo between the Soviets and Hungarians (with the latter winning 4-0). Tragedy struck the Italian team with rower Arrigo Menicocci involved in a fatal car accident.

Medal table

  • gold 8

  • silver 8

  • bronze 9

Statistics

Nations

67

Athletes

3.155 (2.791 Uomini; 364 Donne)

ITALIAN Athletes

135 (120 Men; 15 Women)

GOLD
Ciclismo corsa su strada individuale
GOLD
Ciclismo cronometro 1.000 m
GOLD
Scherma Spada individuale
GOLD
Tiro a Volo piattello
SILVER
Ciclismo velocità
SILVER
Lotta greco-romana mosca
SILVER
Pugilato welter leggeri
SILVER
Scherma Fioretto individuale
SILVER
Scherma Spada individuale
SILVER
Sport Equestri gran premio nazioni a squadre (*)
SILVER
Sport Equestri gran premio nazioni individuale (*)
SILVER
Vela classe interna Stelle
BRONZE
Lotta greco-romana massimi
BRONZE
Pesi Massimi
BRONZE
Pesi medi
BRONZE
Pugilato massimi
BRONZE
Scherma Fioretto individuale
BRONZE
Scherma Spada individuale
BRONZE
Sport Equestri gran premio nazioni individuale (*)
BRONZE
Tiro a Volo piattello