Kathleen & Paul Smith's RV Travelblog

04/16/05 - IMMS Oaxtepec Park & 1968 Olympics
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The entrance to Olympic Stadium. At least it is our belief that this is the place of the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. As you'll be able to see in the following pictures, there are still remaining - the place where the eternal flame burned for the duration of the games - all the flag poles for the various participating countries - the stadium - the diving pool and diving boards, etc., etc. I've searched the "web" but have been unsuccessful in finding any pictures or articles about this place. I read about the world-wide belief that the "Mexicans could never get it together in time" - and of course, they did. I've read about the various gold, silver and bronze medal winners, but nothing about the Oaxtepec region as the setting for the Olympic Park.

The main entrance.

Not one Mexican person we've met here remembers anything about this place being the site of the 1968 Summer Olympics! NO ONE! In fact, when we have questioned several, they point to the bronze plaque that explains that this place was built for the Mexican working people, in order that they might have a place where they could refresh mind and body. Here's a picture of that plaque:

IMHO my guess is that prior to and during the construction of the complex, the president of Mexico (Adolfo Lopez Mateos) promised the Mexican people that after the Olympics, the site would be for them. That makes sense to me, but what do I know? It's only a supposition.

Here's another plaque we found fairly near to where we camped....

Here are some pictures of what makes us think this really was the site of the 1968 Mexico City Summer Olympics. We appreciate any input from any one out there who might have some information on this.

Olympic Swim Pool

Diving Platform

Olympic Flame

Olympic Stadium viewed from Olympic Flame site

It must be exciting to play soccer in Olympic Stadium

In Mexico they play soccer with three balls

We also visited an old Dominican convent. We were able to park right along the ex-convent, and as we emerged from the car we could hear the most angelic sounding music!

It came from a little room in which Mass was being celebrated. The doors were wide open, and we could have touched the attendees. We tried to be reverent and not to disturb their service (the room was full), but it was such a lovely sound. We walked all around the outside of the building, and enjoyed the beauty around us. Jamie and the four children found a shady spot beneath this old tree.

Then Kitty and Jamie found the entrance to the convent, itself. It is huge! One woman was at the "front desk", but had no information on the convent in English. Just walking around the inside was fascinating. Even the children had fun exploring the many rooms. Here's a scene from the inside, looking down into the little garden ....

It was a charming spot, and our only regret is that we don't know the name of it, nor any of its history.

It was a charming spot, and our only regret is that we don't know the name of it, nor any of its history.

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