Mexico 1968 - Olympic Games Winners

Start:

12 Oct 1968

End:

27 Oct 1968

Countries:

112

Athletes:

5516

Sports:

Events:

172

City:

Mexico, Mexico (Acapulco - Sailing)

In October 1963, at the 60th session of the IOC in Baden-Baden, the petitions of the four candidate cities were considered. On the first voting, Mexico City, Mexico received 30 of 58 votes and was selected to host the Olympics 1968.
The other proposed cities were: Detroit, USA - 14 votes, Lyon, France - 12 votes and Buenos-Aires, Argentina - only two votes.
It was the first Games in Latin America.

The Games of the 19 Olympiad were officially opened by President of Mexico Gustavo Diaz Ordaz at the renovated 83,700-seat Olympic Stadium. A woman lit the Olympic flame for the first time - she was a young Mexican athlete Enriqueta Basilio.
South Africa was banned from participating in the Olympic Games again after protests from African countries because of South Africa's racist policy of apartheid.
The high altitude of Mexico City, which was situated 2240m above sea level, helped to reach high results in some events. Thus, the incredible jump of 8.90 meters made by Robert BEAMON of the USA beat only 5 cm in 1991 by American athlete Mike POWELL.
Richard FOSBURY of the USA showed a new technique of high jumping called the fosbury flop.
Drug testing was introduced in 1968.
Tartan, a synthetic material, was used for athletics tracks for the first time.