1968 Summer Olympics

1968 Summer Olympics
Name	1968 Summer Olympics
Host city	Mexico City, Mexico
Nations	112
Athletes	5,516 (4,735 men, 781 women)
Events	172 in 18 sports
Opening	12 October 1968
Closing	27 October 1968
Opened by	President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz
Cauldron	Enriqueta Basilio
Stadium	Estadio Olímpico Universitario

1968 Summer Olympics. The 1968 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIX Olympiad, were held in Mexico City, marking the first time the Olympic Games were staged in Latin America and in a Spanish-speaking nation. These Games were notable for their high-altitude conditions, record-shattering athletic performances, and significant political protests that reflected the global tumult of the era. The event featured the introduction of technological innovations like the use of all-weather synthetic surfaces for track and field and the first comprehensive gender testing for female athletes.

Background and bidding

The International Olympic Committee awarded the 1968 Summer Olympics to Mexico City at its 60th Session in Baden-Baden, West Germany, in 1963. The successful bid, championed by Mexican Olympic Committee president Pedro Ramírez Vázquez, overcame challenges from bids from Detroit, Lyon, and Buenos Aires. The selection was historic, aiming to promote the Olympic movement in a developing region. The decision came during a period of significant economic growth in Mexico, known as the Mexican Miracle, which the government of Gustavo Díaz Ordaz sought to showcase on a world stage. However, the awarding also preceded a decade of global political unrest, setting the stage for the Games to become a focal point for international tensions.

Organization and venues

The organization was overseen by the Mexican Organizing Committee (MOC), which embarked on a massive construction program to create modern sporting infrastructure. The centerpiece was the Estadio Olímpico Universitario, the main stadium located within the Ciudad Universitaria campus of the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Other key venues included the Francisco Márquez Olympic Pool for swimming, the Arena México for boxing, and the newly built Olympic Velodrome. The Olympic Village, known as Villa Olímpica, was constructed to house athletes. The MOC, with support from the Federal government of Mexico, also implemented extensive urban improvements, including enhancements to Benito Juárez International Airport and the city's transportation networks.

The Games

The opening ceremony on October 12 featured a dramatic release of doves and the lighting of the cauldron by hurdler Enriqueta Basilio, the first woman to perform the honor. The Games were conducted under the shadow of a violent government crackdown on student protests just ten days prior, known as the Tlatelolco massacre. On the field, the thin air at 2,240 meters above sea level led to extraordinary achievements in sprinting and jumping events, but posed challenges for endurance athletes. The most iconic moment of the Games was the Black Power salute by American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos during the 200 metres medal ceremony, a silent protest against racial discrimination in the United States.

Sports and events

The program featured 18 sports, encompassing 172 events. Athletics at the 1968 Summer Olympics provided the most memorable records, including Bob Beamon's legendary long jump world record and Dick Fosbury winning the high jump with his innovative Fosbury Flop technique. Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics was dominated by American Debbie Meyer, who won three individual gold medals. New sports included Team handball as a returning medal sport and Volleyball for both men and women. Other notable sports with competition included Basketball at the 1968 Summer Olympics, where the United States won gold, Boxing at the 1968 Summer Olympics, and Gymnastics at the 1968 Summer Olympics.

Participating nations

A then-record 112 National Olympic Committees sent athletes, reflecting the continued decolonization of Africa and the Caribbean. Notable first-time participants included British Honduras (now Belize), Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa), El Salvador, Guinea, Kuwait, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Sierra Leone, and the United States Virgin Islands. East Germany and West Germany competed as separate teams for the second time. The Republic of China team from Taiwan participated under the name "Taiwan" due to political pressure, a contentious issue that foreshadowed future Olympic disputes.

Medal table

The United States topped the medal table with 107 total medals, including 45 gold. The Soviet Union followed closely in second place with 91 total medals. Japan finished a strong third, while the host nation, Mexico, achieved its best-ever Olympic result at the time, winning nine total medals. Other nations with notable performances included East Germany, Hungary, and Poland. The table highlighted the continued sporting dominance of the Cold War superpowers.

Legacy and impact

The legacy of the Mexico City Games is multifaceted, remembered for both athletic brilliance and political symbolism. The athletic records, particularly in track and field, stood for decades and changed technical approaches to training and competition. The protests by Smith and Carlos, initially condemned by the International Olympic Committee and Avery Brundage, are now widely recognized as a pivotal moment for civil rights and athlete activism. The Games also demonstrated the capability of a developing nation to host a major global event, influencing future bids from cities like Seoul and Beijing. The extensive use of color television broadcasts brought the drama and controversy of the Olympics into homes worldwide with unprecedented immediacy.

Category:1968 Summer Olympics Category:1968 in Mexico Category:International sports competitions hosted by Mexico Category:1960s in Mexico City