HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 1956 SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA GAMES OF XVI OLYMPIAD XD83075

[@tilethio]

Opening day Melbourne 1956! Hemmm! What a day! The most memorable Olympics party. The star of the show during the opening day was of course that prankster college student. He fooled the audience by running with his fake homemade Olympic flame made from a broomstick handle, complete with his kerosene-dipped burning shirt in a paint can on top. The whole audience stands tall when they see him with his touch but the authentic athlete arrives shortly and, the police handcuffed the prankster on the spot. But only to be released later that evening. This memory is a reminder whenever the Olympic torch is on its way to the Olympic podium every surprise is possible. My country Ethiopia started her long and glorious Olympic journey at Melbourn by sending 12 of our boys who competed in ten events across two games. Not bad for a first-timer! As we look forward to the Paris 24 Olympics, we salute the Greek soldier who ran from Marathon battle field to Athens eager to declare the news of victory!

[@doriankeating1963]

Very well said and educational for those of us who missed it.

[@paulfhoffman]

Amazing how patient Ronnie Delaney was in the 1500 m: still third-to-last with 300 m to go. Landy just failing to catch Richtzenhein at the line. This is the best version of this race I've seen.

[@thunderbird1921]

That's the thing with many of these long duration races. Too many guys and gals try to push too hard early on and as a result tire out before the finish. Notice how the New Zealanders who led for a long time just totally drifted out of contention? Young athletes could learn a lot from watching this race among others.

[@io4439]

the national film and sound archives of australia would be interested in this

[@bardo0007]

A proud moment in my country Norway's Olympic history at 18:03 , first ever gold in the Summer Olympics.

[@robertotaglienti6406]

A friend of mines grandfather was a physician at the Melbourne Olympics. He has a white doctors lab coat signed by lots of athletes, including the US sprint team.

[@kennyj43]

This is quite fascinating. When did the women's sprint hurdles get extended from 80m to 100m? And in those days they did throwing events without cages? Wow!

[@chessdad182]

I was hoping to see Paul Anderson winning the gold medal.

[@LonnieBishop-b9h]

Plenty of exciting Olympic moments in this well preserved film.

[@bumpercoach]

great stuff but weird to not include the astounding Paul Anderson

[@marynoonan6111]

All pre performance enhancing drugs, and all these people held down a day job. They were actually amazing athletes.

[@pauldg837]

A time when all of the athletes were truly and correctly classified as 'amateur athletes'.

[@wvu05]

I wouldn't be too sure of that. There were plenty of athletes (especially behind the Iron Curtain) who got government jobs that were usually on paper only so they could train. Emil Zatopek was an army officer, and he admitted that the Czech Army told him his job was to run.

[@andyZ3500s]

Wow actually showed some cycling. Thanks

[@Daud76]

Before the Olympic Games added so many other games. They really should have kept it strictly track and field events.

[@ashdallis6701]

boo that would be so boring. I love the variety the inclusion of other sports offers. Plus it gives so many the opportunity to claim the Olympian title

[@MrPink-zw4ho]

I like the way it kept/keeps evolving.

[@Daud76]

@@MrPink-zw4ho I am glad you do. I guess I am much more of a traditionalist and want more emphasis on discus, shot put, running, javelin, etc.