The first Olympics I ever followed were the 1968 Olympics in the rarefied atmosphere of Mexico City. Unbeknowns to me, it was a pretty exciting and eventful Olympics starting point.
I was twelve years old and living in the Northern New Guinea seaside town of Madang, arguably the prettiest town in all Papua New Guinea.
I was only just starting to realise there was a world outside my little world of jungle, coral, humidity and undescribable natural geographical tropical beauty.
My family had recently returned from holidays in Australia in the summer of 1967-68.
I found out about the rugby league Kangaroo tourists (and the man in the bowler hat); the Indian cricket tourists; Australia defending the Davis Cup tennis; the Sydney to Hobart yacht race and Lionel Rose knocking out Rocky Gattellari (early in 1968 Rose won the World Bantamweight division against ‘fighting’ Harada).
Anyway, back to the Olympics.
Our teacher with the Aristotle-esque name, John Maximus (he WAS born to be a teacher), encouraged us to follow the Olympics through the newspapers and magazines (there was no TV in Papua New Guinea in 1968) and bring clippings to school each day to put on a notice board.
This was the Olympics of the Bob Beamon forever and ever long jump record; the introduction of the Dick Frosbury ‘flop’ high jump technique, now common everywhere; the ‘arrival’ of African runners, who won every track event from 1500m to the marathon; and the ‘black power’ salute and widespread civil unrest around the globe.
The USA and USSR were a two nation team, way out in front of everyone else. The USA won 45-28-34 (107) and USSR 29-32-30 (91). As far the Cold War was concerned, Democracy was clearly superior!
Despite its modest total of 5-7-5 (17), Australia did exceptionally well. It’s gold medal tally of five was equal 8th highest, while its overall total of 17 medals ranked seventh.
East and West Germany sent separate teams for the first time (they reunited for 1992). The East Germans showed early glimpses of future drug inspired dominance with 9-9-7 (25), while West Germany won 5-11-10 (26).
Back in 1968, Australia was still a somebody in athletics, as well as a reasonable but declining swimming power.
We won two gold medals on the track – Ralph Doubell in the mens 800m and Maureen Caird in the womens 80m hurdles, eclipsing her more fancied countrywoman Pam Kilborn.
We picked up silver and bronze in the womens 200m with Raelene Boyle and Jenny Lamy.
But perhaps the most extraordinary and least appreciated performance to this day, was Peter Norman’s silver medal in the mens 200m.
Later on the victory dias, American gold medallist Tommie Smith and fellow countrymen bronze medallist John Carlos both gave a black-gloved salute during the national anthem. Both men were immediately kicked out of the games.
Norman supported them by wearing an ‘equal rights’ badge on his tracksuit. He was basically excommunicated by the Australian Olympic Committee for this support.
There is a terrific documentary being screened at the moment – Salute – and I highly recommend it to people as an example of a very troubled time.
In the pool, Lyn McClements was a surprise winner in the womens 100m butterfly. Mike Wenden was less of a surprise, pulling off the mens 100m and 200m mens freestyle.
Due to politics, our greatest swimmer Dawn Fraser was banned from competing. Although 30, she still held the fastest time for the womens 100m.
A brash young American named Mark Spitz, then eighteen, had predicted he would win six gold medals. He only managed two gold medals in the relays. But four years later in Munich, he stunned the world by winning seven gold medals.
Elsewhere, Australia picked up silver medals in mens rowing eights and mens hockey, and a bronze in equestrian three-day event (an event Australia has dominated in recent times).
What has struck me reading the results of the 1968 Olympics, was the high number of Australian ‘top eight’ finishes in athletics. Wouldn’t we love that kind of achievement today!
What are the first Olympic memories of other Roar posters?
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