The Olympic Games in Mexico City 1968: official discourses, the media and the scientific literature

Abstract

This article proposes an historical analysis of the main facts regarding the bid, selection and host of the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. In this process, the presence or absence of these and other facts were verified on the newspaper Folha de S.Paulo of the year of 1968, on the official documents of the 1968 Organizing Committee and at the scientific literature. Then, we have identified and described the bid and selection process of Mexico City, as well as the debates on altitude and the social and political manifestations - specifically, the Tlatelolco Massacre and the raised fists of Tommy Smith and John Carlos at the Olympic podium. The facts were not depleted, but we understand that the description points to relevant evidence on those Games. Even considering the historical specificity of that political and sportive context, some of the debates remain as challenges for host cities and sport organizing bodies after almost fifty years.