1968 Summer Olympics

High school (ages 12+)
Sports & Games

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/1968-summer-olympics

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the official designation?Games of the XIX Olympiad
2. What is the host city?Mexico City, Mexico
3. What was special about where the 1968 Olympics were held?It was the first time the Games were in Latin America and a Spanish‑speaking country, showing that the Olympics could go beyond Europe and North America.
4. Why did the 1968 Olympics have a new track surface?They used a smooth all‑weather track instead of the old cinder track so athletes could run faster and weather would not change the race.

Tlatelolco Massacre: A violent government suppression of student protests in Mexico City shortly before the 1968 Olympics.
Global South: A term used to refer to regions of the world often characterized by developing economies and historical colonial ties.
All-Weather Track: A synthetic running track surface designed for consistent performance regardless of weather conditions, replacing traditional cinder tracks.
Electronic Timing Equipment: Automated systems used to measure athletic performance with high precision, replacing manual stopwatches.