Athletics at the 1952 Helsinki Summer Games:

Between 1949-51 Jim Fuchs, bronze medalist at the 1948 Olympics, was the world's best shot putter, winning 88 consecutive meets, and breaking the world record four times. But at the 1951 AAUs he was beaten by Parry O'Brien. O'Brien in turn was beaten at the 1952 US Trials by Darrow Hooper. But at the Trials, only two inches separated Fuchs, O'Brien, and Hooper, so an American sweep was considered likely. O'Brien opened the final with 17.41 (57-1½) and this would be good enough for the gold medal. In the final round, Hooper put a scare into him, with 17.39 (57-0¾) but had to settle for silver. Fuchs second consecutive bronze medal gave the US another sweep in the shot put – it's sixth one.