Messico 1968

The Olympics held at their highest altitude (2134 metres above sea level) were marked by serious political problems. First with the massacre of 250 students killed by police in the square of the Three Cultures during a demonstration, ten days before the opening ceremony; then the silent protest on the podium of Tommie Smith and John Carlos, in the name of the "Black Power" that called for American black athletes to boycott. The altitude, which created unexpected stamina problems, helped achieve some stunning world records such as the 8.90m in the long jump by Bob Beamon. For the very first time a woman, Norma Enriqueta Basilio de Sotela, lit the OIympic Flame. East and West Germany competed as two separate teams. There were only three gold medals for the Italians: it is necessary to go back to 1908 to find a worse haul.