Sporting Highlights for 1968
Here are some of the sporting highlights in the world of sport for 1968. The major events of this year in sport were the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.
It was the year of the Olympics, and Norway came out on top in the Winter Games. There was a major drama in the downhill skiing event. Jean-Claude Killy of France initially had the fastest time. But Karl Schranz of Austria was awarded a restart after he claimed his run was interrupted by a mysterious man in black. Schranz had a faster time and was awarded the gold which was soon disqualified by an appeal and the gold was given back to Killy.
The Summer Olympics was held in Mexico City. The greatest achievement belonged to Bob Beamon of the United States. He set an Olympic record at 8.90m (29ft 2½in) which still stands after almost five decades. Black Americans, Tommie Smith and John Carlos who won the gold and bronze medals in the 200m race, made black-gloved fists in support of civil rights for which both received a lifetime ban from the Olympics.
It was the beginning of the open era in tennis where professionals were also allowed to compete with amateurs in grand slam events. The open era began with the French Open that year. Arthur Ashe won the US Open that year to become the first and the only black player to this date to win the title.
In the 19th edition of the Formula One season, Graham Hill won the driver's championship for the second time and the last time of his career.
In the second-ever Super Bowl, Green Bay were again victorious.
See some videos from the world of sport in 1968. Below is a timeline of some significant results in the world of sport for the year 1968.
| Date | Results |
|---|---|
| Jan | Tennis Australia Open won by Bill Bowrey and Billie Jean King |
| Jan | The Super Bowl held in Miami was won by Green Bay. |
| Feb 6-18 | Winter Olympic Games were held in Grenoble, France |
| April | Golf Masters won by Bob Goalby |
| May | Tennis French Open won by Ken Rosewall and Nancy Richey |
| June | Golf US Open won by Lee Trevino |
| July | the Cycling Tour de France won by Jan Janssen |
| July | Tennis Wimbledon won by Rod Laver and Billie Jean King |
| July | Golf The Open Championship won by Gary Player |
| Aug | Golf US PGA won by Julius Boros |
| Sep | Tennis US Open won by Arthur Ashe and Virginia Wade |
| Oct | The Baseball World Series won by Detroit Tigers |
| Oct 12-27 | Summer Olympic Games were held in Mexico City, Mexico |
Please note that the dates for past events are not always known, and are sometimes just placed in the month that the current event is held. If no exact date is listed, then it is just an estimated month that it was held.
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 1968
- Timeline (all years) in the world of sport
- For future 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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