Water Polo at the Olympic Games: Mexico City 1968

With the end of the swinging 1960s the Olympic Games were definitely a worldwide event. After the first time in Italy in 1960 and in Asia four years later, they conquered Latin America and Mexico in particular. Mexico City was in fact chosen over Detroit, Buenos Aires and Lyon. Some memorable games of the 1970 football World Cup would eventually be staged here, too.

Thus, the Mexican metropolis would become the fifth city to host both the Olympics and the final match of the football World Cup after Paris, Stockholm, Rome and London. The local government invested about $150m on the Games and the decision provoked the reaction of students and trade unions.

The anti-Government demonstration which took place in Plaza de Las Tres Culturas on 2 October 1968, ten days before the opening ceremony, accompanied the 16th edition of the Games. It was the dramatic ending of the protests to ensure Mexico City 1968 sad memories in the Olympic history, though. Flares were shot from buildings and helicopters – it is believed they were the response by the Government to the protestors – and, according to Senior Analyst of U.S. policy in Latin America Kate Doyle, 44 people lost their lives. The Tlatelolco massacre “inaugurated” one of the most troubled editions of the Games, marked by the introduction of doping tests, the first participation by East and West Germany as separated countries and, above all, the famous Black Panthers salute by Afro-American athletes Tommy Smith and John Carlos during the medal ceremony of the 200 metres in track and field. Read more

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