<P> As late as April 1955, Brundage was still doubtful about Melbourne, and was not satisfied by an inspection trip to the city . Construction was well under way by then, thanks to a $4.5 million federal loan to Victoria, but it was behind schedule . He still held out the possibility that Rome might have to step in . </P> <P> By the beginning of 1956, though, it was obvious that Melbourne would be ready for the Olympics . </P> <P> Egypt, Iraq, and Lebanon announced that they would not participate in the Olympics in response to the Suez Crisis when Egypt was invaded by Israel, the United Kingdom, and France after Egypt nationalised the Suez canal . Meanwhile, in 1956 the Soviet Union crushed the Hungarian Revolution, and the Soviet presence at the Games led to the withdrawal of the Netherlands, Cambodia, Spain, and Switzerland . </P> <P> Less than two weeks before the 22 November opening ceremony, the People's Republic of China chose to boycott the event because the Republic of China had been allowed to compete . </P>

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