HELSINKI 1952

The Soviet Union made its Olympic debut, erecting a village surrounded by armed guards and protected with barbed wire.

Sport had become a propaganda weapon in the Cold War but, as always, individuals rather than power blocs left the enduring memories.

Emil Zatopek trained relentlessly and raced remorselessly, his face contorted in apparent agony. It was his opponents, though, who suffered most as the Czech ground out victories in the 5,000, 10,000 and marathon.

Australia embarked on a decade of unsurpassed sporting success refreshingly distinct from the win-at-all-costs mentality of the eastern European bloc. It paraded double sprint champion Marjorie Jackson plus Shirley Strickland who set a world record in the 80 metres hurdles.