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Quiz about 1956 Melbourne Olympics
Quiz about 1956 Melbourne Olympics

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.
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Author
Landries
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
248,847
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
404
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. In track and field events, which nation won the most gold medals? Hint


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


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


Question 4 of 10
4. Who won the women's 1500 metres? Hint


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


Question 6 of 10
6. How many athletic events were contested at the 1956 Summer Olympics? Hint


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


Question 8 of 10
8. Who was on the podium for the men's 200m dash? Hint


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


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, Józef 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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