The Soviet Union (USSR) competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany.

[2] The Soviet Union won 50 gold medals in the year, when the fiftieth anniversary of the USSR's founding was celebrated in the country.

The Soviets' hopes were high after the first game of the second round, a win over East Germany that put the team on top of the division.

This meant that they played in a game for fifth and sixth place against host nation West Germany.

[4] Men's single sculls Fourteen male shooters represented the Soviet Union in 1972.