More than 50 years after giving up their chance to host the Olympics, Italy finally got their chance.
Cassius Marcellus Clay, later known as Muhammad Ali, first gained international prominence by winning the light-heavyweight boxing gold medal.
Ghana's Ike Quartey became the first black African Olympic medallist when he claimed silver medal in light-welterweight boxing.
Britain's Anita Lonsborough swam to gold in the 200m breaststroke.
Five days later in the marathon, Ethiopia's Abebe Bikila, running barefoot, outlasted Morocco's Rhadi Ben Abdesselem to become the first black African Olympic champion.
Yugoslavia, who qualified for the semi-final by winning a coin toss, won the football tournament after losing in the final three times in a row.
Bill Roycroft, suffering from concussion and a broken collarbone after a fall in the three-day equestrian event, left his hospital bed to compete in the jumping event and win gold medal for Australia.
British gold medals: 2
