Mexico City 1968 Olympic Games: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

Oct. 20, 2026

Facts

Also Known As	Games of the XIX Olympiad
Date	October 12, 1968 - October 27, 1968
Location	Mexico • Mexico City

Photos

Wolfgang Nordwig of East Germany, wearing a red tank top and white shorts, clears the bar during the pole vault event at the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games.

Olympic protests, 1968

Bob Beamon of the United States in midair during his record-breaking long jump at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, with officials watching in the foreground.

Olympic diver Klaus Dibiasi

Wyomia Tyus anchoring the U.S. 4 × 100-metre relay team, which won the gold medal in world record time at the 1968 Summer Olympic Games in Mexico City.

See All Images →

Topics

sports International Olympic Committee

Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

Silhouette of hand holding sport torch behind the rings of an Olympic flag, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; February 3, 2015.

The Olympics Quiz