Fact # 1: Mexico's geographical climate posed some problem with regards to several events in track and field. Mexico City is located at high altitude, and thus had thinner air than most athletes were used to. On the other hand, the altitude contributed to many record-setting jumps and leaps in certain field divisions such as long jump, high jump and pole events.


Fact # 2: Doping tests were first introduced to the Games, and resulted to the first disqualification due to doping, who happens to be Swedish pentathlete Hans-Gunnar Liljenwall.


Fact #3: East and West Germany athletes were members of separate teams for the first time, after competing in a combined team in 1964.


Fact # 4: The previous world record in triple jump was improved five times by three different athlets. Also, Al Oerter won his consecutive gold medal in the discus throwing event and became the second athlete to achieve these wins in an individual event.


Fact # 5: The radical Fosbury flop technique was used by high jump gold medal winner Dick Fosbury, and the technique had quickly became the dominant one in the whole event.


Fact # 6: This the first time that a significant number of Africans participated in the men's distance running, and it came to a surprise that Africans won medals in all events from the 800 m to the marathon, setting a trend for future games.


Fact# 7: Norma Enriqueta Basilio became the first woman athlete to light the Olympic cauldron with the Olympic flame during the opening ceremonies of the Mexico Olympics.