1956　 Games of the XVI Olympiad in Melbourne (Australia)

The games received a lot of attention because it was the first time for southern hemisphere countries host the Olympic Games. (The equestrian events were held in Stockholm , because they could not be held in Australia due to quarantine regulations). Swiss, Egypt, Iraq, China boycotted the Games.
An Olympic tradition began when athletes of different nations are allowed to parade together at the closing ceremony, instead of with their national teams, as a symbol of world unity. In Gymnastics , Japa nese team entered the period of greatest popularity with 11 medals . In swimming, subaqueous (underwater) swimming was put under a ban after the 1956 Games.