Mexico was a controversial choice for the Games of the XIX Olympiad due to the altitude of Mexico City. At a height of 2,240 meters above sea level, the altitude was predicted to have a deleterious effect on the performance of endurance athletes. The thin air, however, was a boon to throwers, jumpers, and sprinters with several world records being set in these events.

Bob Beamon leaped 8.80 meters to smash the long jump record by 55cm. This would not be broken for 23 years. Jim Hines, Tommie Smith, and...


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Author: Vidia Ramphal