1968, 55 years of a humanitarian declaration

By Rosa Covarrubias

The Olympic Charter is clear on the promotion of values and the objective of Olympism, "to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of man, with a view to fostering the establishment of a peaceful society committed to the maintenance of human dignity".

Since the first Olympic Games of the modern era, the International Olympic Committee has been in constant search of an ideal, to promote peace and understanding of all peoples, regardless of race, religion or gender, despite this, Olympism has had chapters in its history that, at times, would like to erase.

The 1968 Olympic Games marked a precedent in many ways. First broadcast on color satellite television; Enriqueta Basilio became the first woman to light the Olympic cauldron; Dick Fosbury won gold by evolving the high jump with the technique used today; Bob Beamon shattered the Olympic and world record in the long jump with a distance of 8.90 meters. The countries were twinned at the closing ceremony, a celebration in every way, except for one chapter.