OSLO 1952
- 14–25 February 1952
- 22 official medal events.
- 693 competitors from 30 countries.
- Finnish team: 75 athletes (50 participated in official events).
In Oslo Finland finally made its breakthrough to the top of the Nordic skiing world. Finnish cross-country skiers won eight out of ten available medals on the famous tracks at Holmenkollen. Veikko Hakulinen won the 50-kilometre event with the legendary time of 3 hours 33:33 minutes. Finland took an overwhelming victory in the relay race, and Lydia Wideman, Mirja Hietamies and Siiri Rantanen swept the three medals in the first ever women’s Olympic cross-country skiing competition. Pentti Alonen finished 14th in men’s slalom, which was to remain the best Finnish achievement in Olympic Alpine skiing until 1998. Finnish speed skaters were left without medals, and the long-awaited Olympic debut of the Finnish ice hockey team yielded a seventh place in a tournament of nine teams. Bandy was a demonstration sport at the Oslo Games, with Finland finishing third among three participating teams.
