The USSR joined the Olympics for the first time in Helsinki in 1952. In the United Nations, the Ukraine and Byelorussia were both treated as independent nations, with full voting privileges.

In the Olympics, on the other hand, they were considered part of the USSR, and Ukrainian and Byelorussian athletes were forced to represent the Soviet Union.

Despite fears of a Cold War showdown, Soviet and American athletes in Helsinki were on their best behaviour and actually got along quite well.

In fact, the 1952 Games were so well run that some observers suggested that the Olympics be held permanently in Scandinavia.