Mexico 1968

Mexico 1968

5,530 athletes (780 women) from 112 nations arrived for the first Olympic Games to be hosted by a country from Latin America (October 12-28). Major problem for all participants in Mexico City was the high altitude of 2,240 m. Some of the results though were extraordinary - most of all the phenomenal Long Jump of 8.90 m by the American Bob Beamon. Boyan Radev became the first Bulgarian with a double Olympic title. Another wrestler, Petar Kirov, also won the gold. Vice-champions became the football team and wrestlers Enyo Todorov, Enyo Valchev and Osman Duraliev. Bronze went to boxers Ivan Mihaylov and Georgi Stankov, and wrestler Prodan Gardzhev.
With most success were the athletes from the USA - 107 medals (45 gold). This marks the dawn for African runners.