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1956 Melbourne Olympics Trivia Quiz

Since athletics have always been my favorite sport, here are some questions about its history, Melbourne 1956.

A multiple-choice quiz by Landries. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Landries

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
248,847

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
405

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In track and field events, which nation won the most gold medals? Hint

United States

Australia

Soviet Union

Great-Britain

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Question 2 of 10

2. Who won both the men's 5km as well as the 10km? Hint

Ron Clark

Mamo Wolde

Emil Zatopek

Vladimir Kuts

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Question 3 of 10

3. This Olympic legend, a discus thrower, won his first of 4 successive Olympic titles (same event) with a throw of 56.36m. Who is he? Hint

Mac Wilkins

Jay Silvester

Alfred Oerter jr

Bob Mathias

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Question 4 of 10

4. Who won the women's 1500 metres? Hint

Ludmilla Bragina

This event wasn't run until 1972

Linda Papp

Edith Szewinska

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Question 5 of 10

5. This 18-year old girl from Sydney, won the 100m and 200m sprint events and ran a great final leg in the 4 x 100-meter relay to claim her third gold medal. What is her name? Hint

Shirley Strickland

Shane Gould

Dana Everage

Betty Cuthbert

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Question 6 of 10

6. How many athletic events were contested at the 1956 Summer Olympics? Hint

56 events, 32 for men and 24 for women

42 events, 28 for men and 14 for women

17 events, 12 for men and 5 for women

33 events, 24 for men and 9 for women

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Question 7 of 10

7. After his defeat in 1948 and 1952 (3 silver medals, always beaten by Zatopek) which man was eager to win gold in the marathon. Hint

Yuosef Maala

Abebe Bikila

Alain Mimoun

Ali Bordin

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Question 8 of 10

8. Who was on the podium for the men's 200m dash? Hint

1. t. Courtney USA 2. D. Johnson GBR 3. A. Boysen NOR

1. BJ Morrow USA 2.T. Baker USA 3. H. Hogan AUS

1. BJ Morrow USA 2. A. Stanfield USA 3. T. Baker USA

1. C. Jenkins USA 2. KH Haas GER 3. V. Hellsten FIN

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Question 9 of 10

9. One of the few triple-jumpers who were able to prologue their Olympic title was this South-American, who won his second title in Melbourne. Who is it? Hint

Adhemar da Silva (BRA)

Joao Carlos De Oliveira (BRA)

Arnoldo Devonish (VEN)

Delfo Cabrera (ARG)

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Question 10 of 10

10. How many nations won at least one medal in an athletic event at the 1956 games? Hint

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In track and field events, which nation won the most gold medals?

Answer: United States

With 16 golds and 31 medals in total. the USA dominated the track and field competition. Certainly if compared to the Soviet Union, in second place with 5 golden and 22 medals in total.

2. Who won both the men's 5km as well as the 10km?

Answer: Vladimir Kuts

Although his main opponent, British runner Gordon Pirie had broken the world record earlier that year, Kuts broke Pirie's fighting spirit by leading from the start.

3. This Olympic legend, a discus thrower, won his first of 4 successive Olympic titles (same event) with a throw of 56.36m. Who is he?

Answer: Alfred Oerter jr

Al Oerter Jr was one of the greatest discus throwers of all-time. 4 consecutive titles in 1956, 1960, 1964, and 1968, and to top it off, he almost qualified for the 1980 Games at the age of 43. He finished fourth in the trials.

4. Who won the women's 1500 metres?

Answer: This event wasn't run until 1972

In the 1950s, women were not allowed to run distances beyond 200 metres. Even the 400m was not run until the 1960 games in Rome. Subsequent games proved the "error" of this rule, as the likes of Koch, Joan benoit, and Waitz made great sport.

5. This 18-year old girl from Sydney, won the 100m and 200m sprint events and ran a great final leg in the 4 x 100-meter relay to claim her third gold medal. What is her name?

Answer: Betty Cuthbert

At the games of 1964, 8 years later, Cuthbert again won gold, but in the 400 metres (introduced as an Olympic event for women in 1960 at Rome).

6. How many athletic events were contested at the 1956 Summer Olympics?

Answer: 33 events, 24 for men and 9 for women

To have a comparison, at the Olympic Games of 2004, there were 46 events, 24 for men and 22 for women.

7. After his defeat in 1948 and 1952 (3 silver medals, always beaten by Zatopek) which man was eager to win gold in the marathon.

Answer: Alain Mimoun

His great rival, Emil Zatopek. finished in sixth place. Zatopek, who had a hernia operation 6 weeks before, suffered greatly from the heat.

8. Who was on the podium for the men's 200m dash?

Answer: 1. BJ Morrow USA 2. A. Stanfield USA 3. T. Baker USA

Bobby Joe Morrow, like many others succeeded in the sprint-double. He won the 100m and the 200m. He added a thirth gold medal with a victory in the 4x100m relay with the USA team.

9. One of the few triple-jumpers who were able to prologue their Olympic title was this South-American, who won his second title in Melbourne. Who is it?

Answer: Adhemar da Silva (BRA)

Triple jumpers who won more than one Olympic title were Meyer Prinstein (USA) 1900 and 1904, J�zef Schmidt (POL) 1960 and 1964, and Viktor Sanejev (URS) 1968, 1972, and 1976.

10. How many nations won at least one medal in an athletic event at the 1956 games?

Answer: 19

Although the USA (31) together with the Soviet Union (22) and Australia (12) were the only nations with more then 10 medals, I guess that even Greece and Sweden with one bronze medal could have some satisfaction after the 1956 Games, remembering de Coubertins words, "The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win, but to take part."

Source: Author Landries

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Nightmare before going online.
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