Swimming at the 1952 Helsinki Summer Games

The swimming events of the 1952 Olympic Games took place at the Helsinki Municipal Swimming Stadium. Construction had begun in 1939 with the 1940 Games in mind but the outbreak of war meant it was not completed until 1947. The capacity of the stadium was increased from 3,500 to 9,500 for the Games with the addition of a temporary stand. Despite the cool weather and the lack of a swimming tradition in Finland, attendances were good and the quality of the performances was high with new Olympic records in every event. 1952 marked the return of strong contingents from Germany and Japan to the Olympics and the first appearance of the Soviets