This volume serves as a comprehensive historical record and statistical reference for Olympic medalists from the inception of the modern games in 1896 through 1968. Authors Norris and Ross McWhirter, renowned for their expertise in record-keeping and data compilation, organize this information to provide a clear reference for the twenty-two sports scheduled for the 1972 Olympic Games. The text functions as an archival tool for sports historians and enthusiasts seeking verified performance data from the first seventeen modern Olympiads.

Experts and sports historians recognize this work as a foundational reference for mid-twentieth-century Olympic statistics. Readers frequently note the high density of tabular data, which makes it a practical resource for verifying historical athletic achievements.