The 1952 Helsinki Olympic Merit Medal

• Time Period: Post-WW2
• Institution: 21 July 1952
• Country: Finland

The 1952 Helsinki Olympic Merit Medal is a Finnish medal created by Executive Order on July 21st 1952. The medal was conferred by the President of the Republic for distinguished services in the XV Olympic Games.

The medal was awarded in three classes:

• Cross of Merit I Class: To members of the I.O.C., Chairmans of a National Olympic Committee, Presidents of an International Sporting Federation or otherwise deserving Chief Secretary or member, members of the Games leadership who has distinguished himself in the organization of the Games or persons who had performed specially valuable services to the Games or the Olympic ideal.
• Cross of Merit II Class: To members of National Olympic Committees, Chief Secretaries of a National Olympic Committee or an International Sporting Federation, members of the Boards of International Sporting Federations, persons of intermediate rank in the Games leadership who have distinguished themselves in the organization of the Games, deserving Chairmen of domestic inter-federation committees and chief competition directors, and Olympic Attaches.
• Medal of Merit: To coaches, trainers and persons who have zealously promoted the training of Finland’s team, officials of the Organizing Committee who have distinguished themselves in the organization of the games, Managers of a Finnish Sporting Federation, officials employed in the Games, or other persons who have helped forward the work of the organization.

The 1952 Helsinki Olympic Merit Medal Design

The medal is a one-piece construction struck in solver and measures 31.11 mm. It shows a five-armed cross and the Finnish Lion. In the middle of the cross on the obverse are the Olympic rings, and on the reverse the year 1952.

The ribbon is striped blue and white.