Germany at the 1952 Summer Olympics

Germany at the 1952 Summer Olympics
IOC code	GER
NOC	German Olympic Sports Confederation
Website	www.dosb.de (in German, English, and French)
in Helsinki, Finland 19 July–3 August 1952
Competitors	205 (173 men and 32 women) Only athletes from West Germany in 18 sports
Flag bearer	Friedel Schirmer[1]
Medals Ranked 28th	Gold 0 Silver 7 Bronze 17 Total 24
Summer Olympics appearances (overview)
1896 1900 1904 1908 1912 1920–1924 1928 1932 1936 1948 1952 1956–1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020 2024
Other related appearances
1906 Intercalated Games ––––  Saar (1952)  United Team of Germany (1956–1964)  East Germany (1968–1988)  West Germany (1968–1988)

Germany competed at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland. 205 competitors, 173 men and 32 women, took part in 123 events in 18 sports.^[2]

Germany had not been invited to the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, Great Britain because of their role in World War II, and because their NOC restored in 1947 did not represent a recognized state yet, which was founded in 1949. Germany took part in the 1952 Winter Olympics, with the GDR declining to cooperate and form a United German team as required by the IOC, joining only in 1956 and later. On the other hand, the French-occupied Saar protectorate had to send a separate team, but could join for 1956. As a result, the team for the 1952 Summer Games was de facto representing West Germany.

While the first-ever (and only) failure to score gold in the Summer Games was disappointing, resulting in a 28th ranking, the number of total medals ranked fifth. 24 medals is the highest number of total medals achieved at an Olympic Games without a gold medal.