Rowing at the 1956 Summer Olympics – Men's coxed four

The men's coxed four competition at the 1956 Summer Olympics took place at Lake Wendouree, Ballarat, Australia. It was held from 23 to 27 November and was won by the team from Italy. There were 10 boats (50 competitors) from 10 nations, with each nation limited to a single boat in the event. Italy had previously won this event in 1928, tying Switzerland for second-most wins among nations. Sweden (silver) and Finland (bronze) each won their first medal in the men's coxed four. Switzerland had its three-Games silver-medal streak broken, without a Swiss crew competing.

Background
This was the 10th appearance of the event. Rowing had been on the programme in 1896 but was cancelled due to bad weather. The coxed four was one of the four initial events introduced in 1900. It was not held in 1904 or 1908, but was held at every Games from 1912 to 1992 when it (along with the men's coxed pair) was replaced with the men's lightweight double sculls and men's lightweight coxless four.

There was no clear favourite for the event. No nation had won the European Rowing Championships since the previous Olympic Games more than once. Only the Soviet Union had won a European Rowing Championship medal twice since 1952. Italy had come third at the 1956 European Rowing Championships.

No nations made their debut in the event. The United States made its eighth appearance, most among nations to that point. Notable absences included France (previously tied with the United States for most appearances at seven) and Switzerland (which had won gold or silver in each of their six appearances).

Competition format
The coxed four event featured five-person boats, with four rowers and a coxswain. It was a sweep rowing event, with the rowers each having one oar (and thus each rowing on one side). The competition used the 2000 metres distance that became standard at the 1912 Olympics and which has been used ever since except at the 1948 Games.

The competition venue had five lanes, but the organising committee had restricted races to four teams. This allowed for changing wind conditions, where the most affected lane could be left unused. Ten teams from ten nations attended the competition. On all days, the coxed four were the first races held of the day.

The competition featured four rounds (three main rounds and a repechage).


 * Quarterfinals: 3 heats, 3 or 4 boats each, top 2 in each heat (6 total) advanced to the semifinals while others (4 boats) went to the repechage.
 * Repechage: 2 heats, 2 boats each, top 1 in each heat (2 total) advanced to the semifinals while all others (2 boats) were eliminated.
 * Semifinals: 2 heats, 4 boats each, top 2 in each heat (4 total) advanced to the final while all others (4 boats) were eliminated.
 * Final: 1 heat, 4 boats, determining medals and 4th place.

Schedule
All times are Australian Eastern Standard Time (UTC+10)

Quarterfinals
Three heats were rowed on 23 November. Two of the heats had three teams and one had four teams, with the first two teams to qualify for the semi-final, and the remaining teams progressing to the round one repechage.

Repechage
Four boats competed in the one repechage on 24 November in two heats, with the winner qualifying for the semi-final.

Semifinals
Two heats were rowed in the semi-finals on 26 November, with the top two teams qualifying for the final.

Final
Four teams reached the final, which was decided in one race held on 27 November. The team from Italy, which had won its heat and semi-final, won the final in an unremarkable race leading from start to finish.