Venezuela at the 1956 Summer Olympics


Venezuela competed at the 1956 Summer Olympics held in Melbourne, Australia, and in the equestrian events held in Stockholm, Sweden. 22 competitors, all men, were selected by the Comité Olímpico Venezolano to take part in 16 events in 5 sports. This was the first and one of the only three times a Venezuelan equestrian representation were sent to a Summer Olympic Games. Venezuela will not send any other equestrian team until 1988 Summer Olympics. Also these games were the second time of a total of four that Venezuelan women will not compete in any events at the Summer Olympics.

Competitors

Athletics

718 athletes of 59 countries competed in 33 events between November 23 to December 1 at the Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia. 4 athletes represented Venezuela in 3 events.

Track

;Men
65 athletes competed at the 100 metres event, 67 at the 200 metres and 72 athletes from 18 teams at the 4x100 metres relay.

Boxing

161 boxers of 34 countries competed in 10 events between November 23 to December 1 at the West Melbourne Stadium, Melbourne, Australia. 2 boxers represented Venezuela in 2 events.
;Men
22 boxers competed at the light-welterweight event and 16 at the welterweight.

Cycling

161 cyclists of 30 countries competed at 6 events between December 3 to 7 at the Olympic Park Velodrome, Melbourne, Australia, for track events and at Broadmeadows, Australia, for road events. 4 cyclists represented Venezuela at 3 events.

Track

;Men
64 cyclists from 16 teams competed at this event.

Road

;Men
88 cyclists competed at the individual race and 79 cyclists from 20 teams at the team race.

Equestrian

When the IOC awarded Melbourne with the XVIth Olympic Games, the government of Australia refused to change the strict quarantine laws of the country for the Olympic horses. These laws commands that all horses must have spent a six-months quarantine prior competition, made it impractical for some competitors horses to be transported to Australia. IOC then awarded the equestrian events to Stockholm. 158 athletes of 29 countries competed at 6 events between June 11 to 17 at the Olympic Stadium. The cross-country or endurance test of the eventing event was held in different locations according to the phase constested. In the jumping event, riders and horses must completed a course with 14 obstacles twice in 2 rounds triying to avoid as many faults as possible. Positions were decided by the total score of the 2 rounds. Faults were scored by refusing to jump, running out, falls of the riders from the horse or both, rail down with the hooves, land any foot in the water in the water jump and time penalties. Scores for individual and team events were awarded in the same performance. 3 riders and horses represented Venezuela in 2 events.
;Men
66 riders and horses of 22 teams competed at these events.

Shooting

157 shooters from 37 countries competed in 7 events between November 29 to December 5 on the Army rifle range at Williamstown, Australia. 9 shooters represented Venezuela in 6 events.
;Men
35 shooters competed in the silhouette event, 33 in free pistol, 44 in small-bore rifle, both prone and three positions, 11 in running deer and 32 in clay pigeon.