By an Executive Order of July 21st 1952 a decoration, the Finnish Olympic Cross of Merit and Medal of Merit, was instituted, to be conferred by the President of the Republic for distinguished services in the XV Olympic Games.

The decoration was to be conferred as follows:
 

Cross of Merit I Class on

-  a member of the I.O.C.
-  a Chairman of a National Olympic Committee
-  a President of an International Sporting Federation
-  a long-term or otherwise deserving Chief Secretary or member
      of a National Olympic Committee or an International Sporting Federation
-  a member of the Games leadership who has distinguished himself in the organisation of the Games
-  a meritorious President of a Finnish Sporting Federation
-  a person who has performed specially valuable services to the Games or the Olympic ideal
      Chefs de Mission of participating countries

    Cross of Merit II Class on

-  members of National Olympic Committees
-  a Chief Secretary 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
      organisation of the Games
-  a specially deserving manager of a Finnish Sporting Federation
-  deserving Chairmen of domestic inter-federation committees and chief competition directors
-  Olympic Attaches

-  coaches, trainers and persons who have zealously promoted the training of Finland's team
-  officials of the Organising Committee who have distinguished themselves in the organisation of the
      Games
-  a Manager of a Finnish Sporting Federation
-  officials employed in the Games
-  other persons who have helped forward the work of organisation

In determining the class of decoration established custom and international practice were to be observed
and account taken of a nominee's social status.

The number of decorations conferred was as below:
 

                                                          In Finland                     Abroad
Cross of Merit I Class                           116                             167                 =       283
Cross of Merit II Class                          508                             192                 =       700
Medal of Merit                                    1,732                             268                 =    2,000
 
 
 

(Source document:  Official Report 1952  Helsinki,  page 195)