XIXTH OLYMPIAD-1968-MEXICO CITY, MEXICO

The 1968 Olympic Torch Relay began in Olympia, as past relays had. Leaving Athens, the flame was taken to Genoa, Italy, birthplace of Christopher Columbus, by the Greek destroyer 'Navarinon'.

The flame journeyed across the Atlantic Ocean, retracing the route of Columbus' voyages to the New World. At Vera Cruz, it was brought ashore by a relay of 17 swimmers. At the end of the Olympic Torch Relay, Enriqueta Basilio became the first woman to carry the flame and light the cauldron. Also for the first time, the Olympic flame was used at cultural events. The relay was 13620 kilometres, 11090 of which were on water. Escorted by runners, cyclists, press and vehicles, 2778 torchbearers ran with the Flame.