China at the 1952 Summer Olympics — country entered in olympic summer games
The PRC made its first Olympic appearance at Helsinki 1952, raising its flag in Olympic history for the first time amid the unresolved 'two Chinas' dispute.
Key Facts
- PRC delegation size
- 40 members (38 men, 2 women)
- Athletes who competed officially
- 1 (swimmer Wu Chuanyu)
- Arrival date at athletes' village
- July 29, 1952
- ROC withdrawal date
- July 17, 1952
- PRC's next Olympic appearance
- 1980 Winter Olympics
- Two Chinas conflict resolved
- November 1979
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following the Chinese Civil War, the COC split between Beijing and Taiwan. Both the PRC and the ROC applied to the IOC to participate in the 1952 Helsinki Games. The IOC ruled that athletes from both entities could compete, prompting a last-minute invitation to the PRC delegation just one day before the Opening Ceremonies.
The PRC sent a 40-member delegation to the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, arriving on July 29 — too late for most events. Only swimmer Wu Chuanyu competed officially, while the football team played friendly matches. The PRC flag was raised at the Olympic village for the first time, marking China's debut under its new government.
The ROC withdrew in protest on July 17, inaugurating the long-running 'two Chinas' Olympic dispute. The PRC Olympic Committee subsequently withdrew from the IOC in August 1958, and the PRC did not return to the Olympics until the 1980 Winter Games after the issue was resolved in November 1979.
Result
at Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland