Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics
Encyclopedia
At the 1968 Summer Olympics
in Mexico City
, 29 events in swimming
were contested. There was a total of 468 participants from 51 countries competing. The United States
dominated the competition, winning 52 of 87 medals.
1968 Summer Olympics
The 1968 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Mexico City, Mexico in October 1968. The 1968 Games were the first Olympic Games hosted by a developing country, and the first Games hosted by a Spanish-speaking country...
in Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
, 29 events in swimming
Swimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
were contested. There was a total of 468 participants from 51 countries competing. The United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
dominated the competition, winning 52 of 87 medals.
Medal table
| 1 | 21 | 15 | 16 | 52 | |
| 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 8 | |
| 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 | |
| 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |
| 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | |
| 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| 7 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 8 | |
| 8 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | |
| 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| 10 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |
| 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Men's events
| 100 m freestyle | 52.2 (WR) | 52.8 | 53.0 | |||
| 200 m freestyle | 1:55.2 (OR) | 1:55.8 | 1:58.1 | |||
| 400 m freestyle | 4:09.0 (OR) | 4:11.7 | 4:13.3 | |||
| 1500 m freestyle | 16:38.9 (OR) | 16:57.3 | 17:04.7 | |||
| 100 m backstroke | 58.7 (OR) | 1:00.2 | 1:00.5 | |||
| 200 m backstroke | 2:09.6 (OR) | 2:10.6 | 2:10.9 | |||
| 100 m breaststroke | 1:07.7 (OR) | 1:08.0 | 1:08.0 | |||
| 200 m breaststroke | 2:28.7 | 2:29.2 | 2:29.9 | |||
| 100 m butterfly | 55.9 (OR) | 56.4 | 57.2 | |||
| 200 m butterfly | 2:08.7 | 2:09.0 | 2:09.3 | |||
| 200 m individual medley | 2:12.0 (OR) | 2:13.0 | 2:13.3 | |||
| 400 m individual medley | 4:48.4 | 4:48.7 | 4:51.4 | |||
| 4×100 m freestyle relay | Zachary Zorn Zachary Zorn Zachary Zorn is a former swimmer from the United States, who won the 4×100 m freestyle relay at the 1968 Summer Olympics. He won gold along with other swimmers such as Mark Spitz. As a youth Zachary Zorn was the world's fastest boy over 50-metres.-References:* , from... Stephen Rerych Stephen Rerych Stephen Karl Rerych is a former freestyle swimmer from the United States, who won gold in the 4×100m and 4×200m freestyle relays at the 1968 Summer Olympics. He won golds along with other swimmers such as Mark Spitz.... Kenneth Walsh Kenneth Walsh (swimmer) Kenneth Walsh is an American swimmer who won gold at the 4×100 metre freestyle relay and the 4×100 metre medley at the 1968 Summer Olympics. He won golds along with other swimmers such as Mark Spitz.-References:*... Mark Spitz Mark Spitz Mark Andrew Spitz is a retired American swimmer. He won seven gold medals at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, an achievement only surpassed by Michael Phelps who won eight golds at the 2008 Olympics.... |
3:31.7 (WR) | Georgi Kulikov Viktor Mazanov Semyon Belits-Geiman Semyon Belits-Geiman Semyon Viktorovich Belits-Geiman is a former Soviet freestyle swimmer. He set a world record in the 800-meter freestyle, and won two Olympic medals.-Early life:Belits-Geiman is Jewish, and was born in Moscow... Leonid Ilyichov |
3:34.2 | Greg Rogers Greg Rogers Gregory Rogers was an Australian sprint freestyle swimmer of the 1960s and 1970s, who won a silver and bronze medal in the 4x200m and 4x100m freestyle relays respectively at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics... Robert Cusack Robert Cusack Robert Cusack was an Australian butterfly and freestyle swimmer of the 1960s and 1970s, who won a bronze medal in the 4x100m freestyle relay at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.... Bob Windle Bob Windle Robert George "Bob" Windle is a former Australian freestyle swimmer of the 1960s, who won four Olympic medals, including an individual gold medal... Michael Wenden Michael Wenden Michael Vincent Wenden AM MBE was a champion swimmer who represented Australia in the 1968 Summer Olympics and 1972 Summer Olympics... |
3:34.7 |
| 4×200 m freestyle relay | John Nelson John Nelson (swimmer) John Nelson is an American Professional Swimmer and Olympic Gold Medalist. Nelson attended Pompano Beach High School and eventually enrolled in Yale University where he met his future Gold Medalist teammate and World Record competitor, Don Schollander... Stephen Rerych Stephen Rerych Stephen Karl Rerych is a former freestyle swimmer from the United States, who won gold in the 4×100m and 4×200m freestyle relays at the 1968 Summer Olympics. He won golds along with other swimmers such as Mark Spitz.... Mark Spitz Mark Spitz Mark Andrew Spitz is a retired American swimmer. He won seven gold medals at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, an achievement only surpassed by Michael Phelps who won eight golds at the 2008 Olympics.... Don Schollander Don Schollander Donald Arthur Schollander is a former Olympic swimmer for the United States. He won total of five gold medals and one silver medal at the 1964 Summer Olympics... |
7:52.3 | Greg Rogers Greg Rogers Gregory Rogers was an Australian sprint freestyle swimmer of the 1960s and 1970s, who won a silver and bronze medal in the 4x200m and 4x100m freestyle relays respectively at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics... Graham White Graham White Graham Ross White OAM was an Australian middle-long distance freestyle swimmer of the 1960s and 1970s, who won a silver medal in the 4x200 m freestyle relay at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.... Bob Windle Bob Windle Robert George "Bob" Windle is a former Australian freestyle swimmer of the 1960s, who won four Olympic medals, including an individual gold medal... Michael Wenden Michael Wenden Michael Vincent Wenden AM MBE was a champion swimmer who represented Australia in the 1968 Summer Olympics and 1972 Summer Olympics... |
7:53.7 | Vladimir Bure Vladimir Bure Vladimir Valeryevich Bure is a retired Soviet Olympic swimmer and a fitness coach for the New Jersey Devils of the NHL. Bure is the father of NHL players Pavel and Valeri Bure.-USSR:... Semyon Belits-Geiman Semyon Belits-Geiman Semyon Viktorovich Belits-Geiman is a former Soviet freestyle swimmer. He set a world record in the 800-meter freestyle, and won two Olympic medals.-Early life:Belits-Geiman is Jewish, and was born in Moscow... Georgi Kulikov Leonid Ilyichov |
8:01.6 |
| 4×100 m medley relay | Charles Hickcox Charles Hickcox Charles Buchanan Hickcox was an American swimmer who won four medals at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. He was born in Phoenix, Arizona. He won gold in both the 200 and 400 Individual Medleys , gold as part of the world record setting U.S... Don McKenzie Don McKenzie (swimmer) Don McKenzie was an American swimmer and olympic champion. He competed at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, where he received a gold medal in 100 m breaststroke, and in 4 × 100 m medley relay... Douglas Russell Douglas Russell Douglas Albert Russell is an Olympic Champion butterfly swimmer from the United States, who won the first ever gold medal in the men's 100m butterfly - an event which made its debut at the 1968 Summer Olympics... Kenneth Walsh Kenneth Walsh (swimmer) Kenneth Walsh is an American swimmer who won gold at the 4×100 metre freestyle relay and the 4×100 metre medley at the 1968 Summer Olympics. He won golds along with other swimmers such as Mark Spitz.-References:*... |
3:54.9 (WR) | Roland Matthes Roland Matthes Roland Matthes is a German Olympic backstroke swimmer.-Swimming career:Roland Matthes is the most successful backstroke swimmer of all times. In a period of seven years he won all backstroke competitions he entered... Egon Henninger Horst-Günter Gregor Frank Wiegand Frank Wiegand Frank Wiegand is a German former swimmer, Olympic medalist and previous world record holder. He was born in Annaberg... |
3:57.5 | Yuri Gromak Vladimir Nemshilov Vladimir Kosinsky Vladimir Kosinsky Vladimir Ivanovich Kosinsky was a Soviet swimmer. Over his career he won two silver and one bronze Olympic medals for the Soviet Union. He was born in Kotlas, Arkhangelsk, Russia.-References:**... Leonid Ilyichov |
4:00.7 |
Women's events
| 100 m freestyle | 1:00.0 | 1:00.3 | 1:00.3 | |||
| 200 m freestyle | 2:10.5 (OR) | 2:11.0 | 2:11.2 | |||
| 400 m freestyle | 4:31.8 (OR) | 4:35.5 | 4:37.0 | |||
| 800 m freestyle | 9:24.0 (OR) | 9:35.7 | 9:38.5 | |||
| 100 m backstroke | 1:06.2 (WR) | 1:06.7 | 1:08.1 | |||
| 200 m backstroke | 2:24.8 (OR) | 2:27.4 | 2:28.9 | |||
| 100 m breaststroke | 1:15.8 (OR) | 1:15.9 | 1:16.1 | |||
| 200 m breaststroke | 2:44.4 (OR) | 2:46.4 | 2:47.0 | |||
| 100 m butterfly | 1:05.5 | 1:05.8 | 1:06.2 | |||
| 200 m butterfly | 2:24.7 (OR) | 2:24.8 | 2:25.9 | |||
| 200 m individual medley | 2:24.7 (OR) | 2:28.8 | 2:31.4 | |||
| 400 m individual medley | 5:08.5 (OR) | 5:22.2 | 5:25.3 | |||
| 4×100 m freestyle relay | Jane Barkman Jane Barkman Jane Barkman is an American swimmer and olympic champion. She competed at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, where she received a gold medal in 4×100 m freestyle, and a bronze medal in 200 m freestyle. She was also part of the American team that won the gold medal in 4×100 m... Linda Gustavson Linda Gustavson Linda Gustavson is an American swimmer and Olympic champion. She competed at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, where she received a gold medal in 4 × 100 m freestyle, a silver medal in 400 m freestyle, and a bronze medal in 100 m freestyle.-References:*... Susan Pedersen Susan Pedersen (swimmer) Susan Pedersen is an American swimmer and olympic champion. She competed at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, where she received a gold medal in 4 × 100 m medley relay, and also in 4 × 100 m freestyle relay... Jan Henne Jan Henne Jan Henne is an American swimmer who won two gold medals at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico. She was admitted to the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1979.-External links:**... |
4:02.5 (OR) | Gabriele Wetzko Gabriele Wetzko Gabriele Wetzko is a former German swimmer. Born in Leipzig, East Germany, she competed for East Germany in the 1968 Summer Olympics and again in the 1972 Summer Olympics... Roswitha Krause Roswitha Krause Roswitha Krause is a German swimmer and team handball player. She competed for East Germany and achieved Olympic medals in both swimming and handball.-Swimming:... Uta Schmuck Uta Schmuck Uta Schmuck is a German swimmer. Born in Limbach-Oberfrohna, Soviet Occupied Zone, she competed for East Germany in the 1968 Summer Olympics.... Gabriele Perthes Gabriele Perthes Gabriele Perthes is a German swimmer. Born in Dessau, Soviet Occupied Zone, she competed in the 1968 Summer Olympics for East Germany.... |
4:05.7 | Angela Coughlan Angela Coughlan Angela Denise Coughlan, O.Ont. was a Canadian swimmer. At the peak of her competitive swimming career from 1968 to 1971, she was the best Canadian female freestyle specialist, going undefeated in freestyle events at Canadian meets during that time, as well as breaking a world record and 13... Marilyn Corson Elaine Tanner Elaine Tanner Elaine Tanner-Watt, OC is a retired Canadian swimmer.-Career:Nicknamed "Mighty Mouse" partly because of her small stature and partly due to her competitive drive, Tanner had a large impact on Canadian swimming and is considered one of the top performers in the sport.During the 1966 Commonwealth... Marion Lay |
4:07.2 |
| 4×100 m medley relay | Kaye Hall Kaye Hall Kaye Hall is an American former swimmer. In December 1967, she became the first woman to go under one minute for the 100 yard backstroke. She was born on May 15th in Tacoma, Washington. She now works as an art teacher in Mukilteo, Washington... Catie Ball Catie Ball Catherine Northcutt "Catie" Ball Condon is a former American international swimmer and Olympic gold medalist. At the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, Mexico, she won a gold medal as the anchor swimmer for the U.S. 4x100-meter medley relay team... Ellie Daniel Ellie Daniel Eleanor Suzanne Daniel is an American swimmer and olympic champion. She competed at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, where she received a gold medal in 4 × 100 m medley relay, a silver medal in 100 m butterley, and a bronze medal in 200 m butterfly... Susan Pedersen Susan Pedersen (swimmer) Susan Pedersen is an American swimmer and olympic champion. She competed at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, where she received a gold medal in 4 × 100 m medley relay, and also in 4 × 100 m freestyle relay... |
4:28.3 (OR) | Lynne Watson Lynne Watson Lynne Watson , known after marriage as Lynne Bates was an Australian backstroke swimmer of the 1960s, who won a silver medal in the 4x100m medley relay at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, narrowly missing two more medals.... Judy Playfair Judy Playfair Judy Playfair was an Australian breaststroke swimmer of the 1960s, who won a silver medal in the 4x100m medley relay at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.... Lyn McClements Lyn McClements Lynnette Velma McClements , was an Australian butterfly swimmer of the 1960s and 1970s who won a gold medal in the 100m butterfly at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics... Janet Steinbeck Janet Steinbeck Janet Steinbeck was an Australian freestyle swimmer of the 1960s, who won a silver medal in the 4x100m medley relay at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.... |
4:30.0 | Angelika Kraus Uta Frommater Heike Hustede Heidemarie Reineck |
4:36.4 |