Olympedia – Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics

The 1968 swimming events were held at the Alberca Olímpica Francisco Márquez, or the Francisco Márquez Olympic Swimming Pool. It was built specifically for the 1968 Olympics with a seating capacity of 4,300.

The swimming program for both men and women underwent significant inflation in 1968. The men’s program went from 10 to 15 events, adding the 200 metre freestyle, and in the non-freestyle strokes, there were now two events for each discipline, with 100 and 200 metres for backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly, and 200 and 400 metres individual medley. The women’s program went from 8 to 14 events, adding the 200 and 800 metre freestyles, and also expanding to two events in each of the non-freestyle disciplines.

The United States had been dominant in 1964, but went even further in 1968, winning 21 of 29 events, and 52 of 87 medals. Their men won 10 gold medals and 26 of 45 medals, while their women won 11 golds and 26 of 42 medals.

Americans Charlie Hickcox and Debbie Meyer both won three gold medals, while four swimmers won four medals – Hickcox, Sue Pedersen (USA), Mike Wenden (AUS), Jan Henne (USA), and Mark Spitz (USA).