1968 Mexico City, Mexico
1968
was a milestone year for humanity. After 1968 the world was never again
the same since the events that took place that year rearranged many traditions
and beliefs of the past. The world was always searching for a new way
of life and a new system of values. The capitalist regime that existed
in Europe was challenged by "Red Danny" in France, "Red
Rudy" in Germany and by Mario Capana in Italy. The socialist movement
doubted for the first time the authority of the European leaders and it
was then, that May of 1968 made history.
In America the people were demonstrating against the invasion of Vietnam and the "beat-nick" generation was having second thought on the philosophy of the "American Dream", Martin Luther King is murdered in Memphis on the 4th of April and two months later, the democratic candidate of US, Robert Kennedy is assassinated.
The general uprising on the planet reaches the high attitudes of Mexico City. These Games were about to begin and the world was facing a universal turmoil. The IOC had reinstated the racist South Africa and the Mexican students demonstrated in the streets of the capital. The demonstrations resulted in the death of 300 people, one week before the Games. The IOC finally decided not to include the South African nation and the turmoil was once again minimized.
The Games in Mexico were the first to be held in an underdeveloped nation. The IOC had doubts on the success of the organization and waited anxiously to see if they would overcome their mentality of dilatoriness and the world "manana" (tomorrow). The IOC was severely criticized by doctors since they were concerned for the athlete’s health, due to the high altitude and the lack of oxygen. Pollution and the demographic explosion of Mexico City were also on the IOC "problem agenda".
Nevertheless, the Mexico Olympic Games were the "Olympics of Records, Innovations and Political turbulence" 48 word records and 190 Olympic records were broken. The greatest of all records was Bob Beamons long jump record, which was surpassed by 50cm. Electronic timing was used in the track, swimming, horse riding, cycling, rowing, and canoe events.
Politics were never so visibly present in the athletic field. When Tommy Smith and John Carlos received their medals at the podium they wore black gloves and black socks (no shoes) and lowered their heads so as not to see the American flag. In this way they demonstrated against the racism in the United States. The same night the two athletes were thrown out of the Olympic Village and their life in the United States later, became nightmare.