 | |
| Host city | Mexico City, Mexico |
|---|---|
| Countries visited | Greece, Italy, Spain, Canary Islands, Bahamas (San Salvador), Mexico |
| Distance | 13,620 km (total) 2,530 km (on foot) |
| Torchbearers | 2,778 |
| Theme | Relay to the New World |
| Start date | 23 August 1968 |
| End date | 12 October 1968 |
The 1968 Summer Olympics torch relay took part as part of the build-up to the 1968 Summer Olympics hosted in Mexico City, Mexico. The Olympic flame was lit in Olympia, Greece, and retraced the steps of Christopher Columbus, discoverer of the New World. This theme celebrated the link between Latin-American and Mediterranean civilizations.
At the end of the relay the Olympic cauldron was for the first time lit by a female athlete. Mexican hurdler Enriqueta Basilio was chosen to complete the final leg of the 2,500 kilometres (1,600 mi) running relay. The torch had covered a total distance of 13,620 kilometres (8,460 mi) including the crossing of the Atlantic Ocean.
While the relay was largely successful it was marred by problems when exchanging the flame from one torch to another. Runners in Barcelona and Medinaceli were burned by small explosions as a lit torch came into contact with an unlit one.