1956 Melbourne Summer Games | U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum

1956 Men’s Basketball Team

Led by Bill Russell and K.C. Jones, the 1956 U.S. Men's Basketball Team was dominant at the Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games, winning each of its eight games by at least 30 points en route to winning a gold medal.

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.

Abie Grossfeld

Abie Grossfeld was a two-time Olympian, but his biggest impact was as a coach, including guiding the 1984 U.S. men's gymnastics team to the team all-around title.

Willye White

The first American woman to compete in five Olympic Games, Willye White won silver in long jump at the Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games and the 4x100-meter relay at the Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games.

Wilma Rudolph

Despite being told she would never walk again, Wilma Rudolph won three track and field gold medals at the Rome 1960 Olympic Games.

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.

Al Oerter

Al Oerter overcame any obstacle in his path to win four consecutive Olympic gold medals in the discus, setting an Olympic record every time.

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.

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.

Olympiad: 1956 Melbourne Summer Games