1968 Mexico City Summer Olympics Quiz

Answer: It was the first time that a Spanish-speaking country hosted the Games

It was also the first time that the Olympics were held in Central or South America. It was only the second time in Summer Olympic history that saw a host nation in other than Australia, Europe, or the United States. The 1964 Olympics were held in the Asian country of Japan.

Answer: Detroit, Michigan

There were four nations in the hunt for the hosting the 1968 Games spot. Second in the voting was Detroit, then Lyon France, followed by Buenos Aires.

Answer: United States

The 1968 Games were dominated by the USA and the USSR. The U.S. took 45 gold, 28 silver, and 34 bronze for a total of 107. Rounding out the top five was the Soviet Union who finished second with 91, Hungary a distant third with 32, West Germany with 26, then Japan and East Germany tied with 25 each.

Answer: John Carlos and Tommie Smith

During the 200m medal ceremony, Smith who won gold and Carlos who won bronze, raised their fists as a symbol. Both were African-Americans. The intent of the gesture has been contested by many, but the Olympic Committee felt that it was a defiant gesture of "black power".

The two were sent home. Dube and Belyayev were weightlifters, Sanders and Behm competed in wrestling, while Hough and Johnson were rowers.

Answer: Debbie Meyer

The others were all former U.S. medalists, but in gymnastic events. The U.S. women swept the podium in three swimming events, taking gold, silver, and bronze in each one. The three events were the 100m and 200m individual freestyle, and the 200m individual medley.

The United States led the pack in swimming medals by winning 21 gold, 15 silver, and 16 bronze. The 52 U.S. swimming medals far outreached the second place countries with eight by Australia and the Soviet Union.

Answer: MEX

Mexico took a total of nine medals in the competitions with three gold, three silver, and three bronze. In boxing, Ricardo Delgado and Antonio Roldan won gold in their respective weight divisions. Their third gold medal winner was Felipe Munoz in swimming for the men's 200m breaststroke.

Answer: Venezuela

The others won at least 15 medals at Mexico City 1968. Pakistan's sole medal was the gold in team field hockey, defeating Australia 2-1 in the final. Venezuela's gold came via boxer Francisco Rodríguez, who won the gold in the men's light flyweight division. He became his country's hero by defeating Jee Yong-Ju of Korea in the final.

Answer: Japan

The others didn't win any medals for gymnastics. Japan swept in the individual floor exercise. Sawao Kato won the gold, Akinori Nakayama took the silver, and Takeshi Kato earned the bronze. In other competition, USA also swept in swimming events.

Answer: Bob Beamon

The others were all silver medalists for the U.S. Olympic swimming team. Tagged, "The man that could fly", Beamon jumped an amazing 29' 2-1/2" in the 1968 Games. Beamon was the first long jumper in history to jump both 28 and 29 feet in competition. Sports writer Dick Schaap wrote a book about Bob Beamon and his Olympic feat titled, "The Perfect Jump". Beamon's record stood for 23 years until 1991 when U.S. jumper Mike Powell broke the record by only two inches.

Answer: West Germany and East Germany

Both West and East Germany had competed as one team combined in the previous Olympics at 1956 Melbourne, 1960 Rome, and 1964 Tokyo. In 1968, West Germany topped East Germany with 26 total medals compared to 25 won by the East Germany. However, East Germany won nine gold medals compared to five by West Germany. West Germany finished fourth on the total medals table, while East Germany tied for fifth with Japan.