For the 1952 Summer Olympics, a total of twenty-four sports venues were used. Three of the venues were constructed for the 1940 Summer Olympics, but were postponed in the wake of World War II. Those venues were completed in time for the 1952 Games. The main stadium served as host to the World Athletics Championships in 1983 and in 2005. Two venues were purchased by the city of Helsinki after the Olympics, one changed from an exhibition center to a sports arena, and another changed from a sports arena to an art museum. With an annual average temperature of 5.9 °C, Helsinki is the coldest city to host the Summer Olympics.

Venues VenueSportsCapacity Ref. Arto Tolsa Areena (Kotka) Football 11,400 Hämeenlinna Modern pentathlon 2,9831952 Summer Olympics official report. pp. 60–2. Accessed 21 October 2010. Harmaja Sailing Not listed.1952 Summer Olympics official report. p. 58. Accessed 21 October 2010 Helsinki Football Grounds Football 18,050.1952 Summer Olympics official report. pp.62–3. Accessed 21 October 2010. Huopalahti Shooting (shotgun) 2,0001952 Summer Olympics official report. p. 57. Accessed 21 October 2010. Käpylä Cycling (road) 4,0501952 Summer Olympics official report. p. 554. Accessed 21 October 2010. Laakso Equestrian (eventing - riding) 4,8541952 Summer Olympics official report. p. 58. Accessed 21 October 2010. Lahden kisapuisto Football 8,067 Liuskasaari Sailing 19,000 Malmi shooting range Shooting (pistol/ rifle) 2,000 Maunula Cycling (road) 21,708 Meilahti Rowing 3,5541952 Summer Olympics official report. pp. 54-5. Accessed 21 October 2010. Messuhalli Basketball (final), Boxing, Gymnastics, Weightlifting, Wrestling 5,5001952 Summer Olympics official report. p. 51. Accessed 21 October 2010. Olympic Stadium Athletics, Equestrian (jumping), Football (final) 70,4701952 Summer Olympics official report. pp. 44-7. Accessed 21 October 2010. Pakila Cycling (road) Not listed. Ruskeasuo Equestrian Hall Equestrian (dressage, eventing) 3,780 Swimming Stadium Diving, Swimming, Water polo 11,3451952 Summer Olympics official report. pp. 47–9. Accessed 21 October 2010. Taivallahti Canoeing Not listed.1952 Summer Olympics official report. p. 52. Accessed 21 October 2010. Tali Race Track Equestrian (eventing - steeplechase) 20,000 Tampere Football 20,700 Tennis Palace Basketball 1,518 Veritas Stadion (Turku) Football 14,224 Velodrome Cycling (track), Field hockey 7,2351952 Summer Olympics official report. p. 50. Accessed 21 October 2010. Westend Tennis Hall Fencing 951

Before the Olympics The idea for the construction of the Olympic Stadium began in 1927 though construction itself would take place between 1934 and 1938.History of Helsinki Olympic Stadium. Accessed 21 October 2010. This was done in preparation for the 1940 Summer Olympics that were moved from Tokyo after the breakout of World War II. Construction for the Swimming Stadium began in 1939, but was interrupted due to World War II. The building was resumed in 1947 and completed the following year. A concrete velodrome was built in 1940 though it was not completed until 1946 due to the war. Messuhalli was completed in 1935.History of the Töölö Sports Hall. Accessed 21 October 2010.

The Tennis Palace was constructed in time for the 1940 Games as well.Tennis Palace profile. Accessed 21 October 2010.

During the Olympics The modern pentathlon events were held in one venue for the first time at the Summer Olympics since 1920.Sports-reference.com 1920 Summer Olympics modern pentathlon. Accessed 22 October 2010.

After the Olympics

In 1983, the Olympic Stadium hosted the first IAAF World Championships in Athletics.IAAF World Championships in Athletics Helsinki 7-14 August 1983 results. Accessed 21 October 2010. Between 1990 and 1994, the stadium underwent a renovation. The stadium became the first venue to host the IAAF World Championships in Athletics twice when it hosted again in 2005.IAAF World Championships in Athletics Helsinki 6-14 August 2005 information. Accessed 21 October 2010.

The aquatics venue is open to the public annually between May and September.Swimming Stadium guide. Accessed 21 October 2010. Töölö Sports Hall was purchased by the city of Helsinki in 1975 and converted from exhibition center into a sports arena. The Tennis Palace was renovated, purchased by the city of Helsinki in 1957, and converted into an art museum in 1993.

Finnair Stadium, which was named Sonera Stadium since August 2010, was constructed on the Helsinki Football Grounds for HJK in 2000.Sonera Stadium profile. Accessed 21 October 2010.

References