1952 Helsinki Summer Games | U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum

Jack Kelly Jr.

Four-time Olympian Jack Kelly Jr. was selected president of the U.S. Olympic Committee in 1985, but died of a heart attack while jogging just three weeks later.

Mal Whitfield

Mal Whitfield won gold in the 800-meter run and the 4x-400-meter relay at the London 1948 Olympic Games, becoming the first American active-duty service member to win an Olympic gold medal.

Bob Richards

Bob Richards became the first man to win multiple Olympic gold medals in the pole vault. He was the first athlete pictured on the front of a Wheaties cereal box.

Floyd Patterson

It was during his time at reform school that Floyd Patterson became interested in boxing. At 17 years old, he won an Olympic gold medal and went on to a prolific professional career.

Parry O’Brien

After quitting his college football team, Parry O'Brien became the most dominant shotputter of his time, winning 116 consecutive meets, including two Olympic gold medals.

Pat McCormick

Pat McCormick swept the 3-meter springboard and 10-meter platform diving events at the Helsinki 1952 Olympic Games and Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games, the first to accomplish that feat twice.

Bob Mathias

A superb athlete, Bob Mathias did not know what a decathlon was until his high school coach suggested trying it. A few months later, Mathias won the first of his two Olympic gold medals.

Tommy Kono

It was at an internment camp in the desert during World War II that Tommy Kono's asthma dissipated and he was introduced to weightlifting, eventually winning two Olympic gold medals and one silver.

Harrison Dillard

Harrison "Bones" Dillard is the only man to win Olympic gold medals in the 100-meter dash and the 110-meter hurdles. In between the 1948 and 1952 Olympic Games, he served in the U.S. Army.

John Davis

One of the most dominant athletes of his generation, John Davis compiled a 15-year winning streak that included gold medals at the London 1948 Olympic Games and the Helsinki 1952 Olympic Games.

Olympiad: 1952 Helsinki Summer Games