Sporting Highlights for 1966
Here are some of the sporting highlights in the world of sport for 1966. Major events for this year included the FIFA World Cup (Football) tournament held in England and the Commonwealth Games (then called the British Commonwealth Games) held in Kingston, Jamaica. Other multi-events were the Asian Games held in Bangkok, Thailand, Central American and Caribbean Games held in San Juan, Puerto Rico and the Fourth Winter Universiade held in Sestriere, Italy.
It was the year of the eighth edition of the FIFA World Cup held in England. The host country England won the cup by defeating West Germany 4-2 after extra time. The event had a record attendance which was surpassed only after 28 years in 1994.
The year saw the emergence of a young American women's tennis star Billie Jean King who won her first grand slam title that year. She also won the Wimbledon title in the next two years and finished her career with a total of 12 grand slam titles. Margaret Court won the Australian Open for the seventh straight time, a feat that has not been achieved by any other man or woman. In men's tennis, after nine years, the four grand slam titles were won by four different players. At the Australian Tennis Open, for the fourth year in a row, there were the same two singles winners.
Jack Nicklaus successfully defended his Masters Tournament title, which was also his third win at the event. He also won The Open Championship for the first time in his career and his sixth major title. Mickey Wright, one of the most accomplished women's golfers, won the Women's Western Open for the third time, and her 13th and final major title. Kathy Whitworth successfully defended her Titleholders Championship title for second out of six major titles.
Jack Brabham won the F1 driver's championship for the third and last time, one of the 10 drivers who have achieved the feat in the history of the race.
Born this year was:
- Stefan Edberg, Swedish tennis player.
- Eric Cantona, French footballer.
- Zola Budd, South African athlete.
Below is a timeline of some significant results in the world of sport for the year 1966.
| Date | Results |
|---|---|
| Jan 21-31 | Tennis Australia Open won by Roy Emerson and Margaret Smith (later Margaret Court) |
| April 7-11 | Golf Masters won by Jack Nicklaus (3rd win) |
| May 23- June 5 | Tennis French Open won by Tony Roche and Ann Jones |
| June 16-20 | Golf US Open won by Billy Casper |
| June 20 - July 2 | Tennis Wimbledon won by Manuel Santana and Billie Jean King |
| June 21 - July 14 | the Cycling Tour de France won by Lucien Aimar |
| July 6-9 | Golf The Open Championship won by Jack Nicklaus |
| July 11-30 | FIFA World Cup (Football) tournament was held in England, and won by England. |
| July 21-24 | Golf US PGA won by Al Geiberger |
| Aug 4-13 | Commonwealth Games held in Kingston, Jamaica. |
| Sep 1-12 | Tennis US National Championship won by Fred Stolle and Maria Bueno |
| Oct 5-9 | The Baseball World Series won by Baltimore Orioles |
If you have a correction or know of events that should be included here, please let me know.
Related Pages
- Ballon D'or Winners for 1966
- Timeline (all years) in the world of sport
- For upcoming sporting events, see the Calendar of Major Sporting Events
- More about the World of Sport
Any comments, suggestions, or corrections? Please let us know.
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