Venues of the 1952 Summer Olympics

For the 1952 Summer Olympics, a total of twenty-four sports venues were used. Three of the venues were constructed for the 1940 Summer Olympics, but were postponed in the wake of World War II. Those venues were completed in time for the 1952 Games. The main stadium served as host to the World Athletics Championships in 1983 and in 2005. Two venues were purchased by the city of Helsinki after the Olympics, one changed from an exhibition center to a sports arena, and another changed from a sports arena to an art museum. With an annual average temperature of 5.9 °C, Helsinki is the coldest city to host the Summer Olympics.

Venues
Venue Sports Capacity Ref.
Arto Tolsa Areena (Kotka)Football11,400 [1]
HämeenlinnaModern pentathlon2,983 [2]
HarmajaSailingNot listed. [3]
Helsinki Football GroundsFootball18,050. [1]
HuopalahtiShooting (shotgun)2,000 [4]
KäpyläCycling (road)4,050 [5]
LaaksoEquestrian (eventing - riding)4,854 [6]
Lahden kisapuistoFootball8,067 [1]
LiuskasaariSailing19,000 [3]
Malmi shooting rangeShooting (pistol/ rifle)2,000 [4]
MaunulaCycling (road)21,708 [5]
MeilahtiRowing3,554 [7]
MessuhalliBasketball (final), Boxing, Gymnastics, Weightlifting, Wrestling5,500 [8]
Olympic StadiumAthletics, Equestrian (jumping), Football (final)70,470 [9]
PakilaCycling (road)Not listed. [5]
Ruskeasuo Equestrian HallEquestrian (dressage, eventing)3,780 [6]
Swimming StadiumDiving, Swimming, Water polo11,345 [10]
TaivallahtiCanoeingNot listed. [11]
Tali Race TrackEquestrian (eventing - steeplechase)20,000 [11]
TampereFootball20,700 [1]
Tennis PalaceBasketball1,518 [4]
Veritas Stadion (Turku)Football14,224 [1]
VelodromeCycling (track), Field hockey7,235 [12]
Westend Tennis HallFencing951 [12]

Before the Olympics

The idea for the construction of the Olympic Stadium began in 1927 though construction itself would take place between 1934 and 1938.[13] This was done in preparation for the 1940 Summer Olympics that were moved from Tokyo after the breakout of World War II.[13] Construction for the Swimming Stadium began in 1939, but was interrupted due to World War II.[10] The building was resumed in 1947 and completed the following year.[10] A concrete velodrome was built in 1940 though it was not completed until 1946 due to the war.[12] Messuhalli was completed in 1935.[14]

The Tennis Palace was constructed in time for the 1940 Games as well.[15]

During the Olympics

The modern pentathlon events were held in one venue for the first time at the Summer Olympics since 1920.[2][16]

After the Olympics
Olympic stadium

In 1983, the Olympic Stadium hosted the first IAAF World Championships in Athletics.[17] Between 1990 and 1994, the stadium underwent a renovation.[13] The stadium became the first venue to host the IAAF World Championships in Athletics twice when it hosted again in 2005.[18]

The aquatics venue is open to the public annually between May and September.[19] Töölö Sports Hall was purchased by the city of Helsinki in 1975 and converted from exhibition center into a sports arena.[14] The Tennis Palace was renovated, purchased by the city of Helsinki in 1957, and converted into an art museum in 1993.[15]

Finnair Stadium, which was named Sonera Stadium since August 2010, was constructed on the Helsinki Football Grounds for HJK in 2000.[20]

References
  1. 1952 Summer Olympics official report. Archived 2008-04-11 at the Wayback Machine pp.62–3. Accessed 21 October 2010.
  2. 1952 Summer Olympics official report. Archived 2008-04-11 at the Wayback Machine pp. 60–2. Accessed 21 October 2010.
  3. 1952 Summer Olympics official report. Archived 2008-04-11 at the Wayback Machine p. 58. Accessed 21 October 2010
  4. 1952 Summer Olympics official report. Archived 2008-04-11 at the Wayback Machine p. 57. Accessed 21 October 2010.
  5. 1952 Summer Olympics official report. Archived 2008-04-11 at the Wayback Machine p. 554. Accessed 21 October 2010.
  6. 1952 Summer Olympics official report. Archived 2008-04-11 at the Wayback Machine p. 58. Accessed 21 October 2010.
  7. 1952 Summer Olympics official report. Archived 2008-04-11 at the Wayback Machine pp. 54-5. Accessed 21 October 2010.
  8. 1952 Summer Olympics official report. Archived 2008-04-11 at the Wayback Machine p. 51. Accessed 21 October 2010.
  9. 1952 Summer Olympics official report. Archived 2008-04-11 at the Wayback Machine pp. 44-7. Accessed 21 October 2010.
  10. 1952 Summer Olympics official report. Archived 2008-04-11 at the Wayback Machine pp. 47–9. Accessed 21 October 2010.
  11. 1952 Summer Olympics official report. Archived 2008-04-11 at the Wayback Machine p. 52. Accessed 21 October 2010.
  12. 1952 Summer Olympics official report. Archived 2008-04-11 at the Wayback Machine p. 50. Accessed 21 October 2010.
  13. History of Helsinki Olympic Stadium. Accessed 21 October 2010.
  14. History of the Töölö Sports Hall. Archived 2011-06-11 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 21 October 2010.
  15. Tennis Palace profile. Accessed 21 October 2010.
  16. Sports-reference.com 1920 Summer Olympics modern pentathlon. Accessed 22 October 2010.
  17. IAAF World Championships in Athletics Helsinki 7-14 August 1983 results. Archived 12 December 2004 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 21 October 2010.
  18. IAAF World Championships in Athletics Helsinki 6-14 August 2005 information. Accessed 21 October 2010.
  19. Swimming Stadium guide. Archived 2010-05-13 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 21 October 2010.
  20. Sonera Stadium profile. Accessed 21 October 2010. (in Finnish)
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