The 1968 Summer Paralympics were the first in history not held concurrently with the Olympic Games, after Mexico City declined to host them.
Key Facts
- Edition
- Third Paralympic Games
- Also known as
- 17th International Stoke Mandeville Games
- Opening ceremony location
- Hebrew University stadium, Givat Ram, Jerusalem
- Main venue
- Israel Sports Center for the Disabled, Ramat Gan
- Organizing body
- International Stoke Mandeville Games Federation (ISMGF)
- Original planned host
- Mexico City (withdrew in 1966)
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The 1968 Summer Paralympics were originally intended to be held in Mexico City alongside the 1968 Summer Olympics. However, in 1966 the Mexican government declined to host the games, citing logistical difficulties, leaving the organizing body without a host city.
Israel stepped in as host after the Mexican government's withdrawal. The games were held in November 1968, with the opening ceremony at the Hebrew University stadium in Jerusalem and competitions at the Israel Sports Center for the Disabled in Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv District.
Because Israel hosted independently of the 1968 Olympics, these became the first Paralympic Games in history to not be held concurrently with the corresponding Olympic Games, establishing a precedent that would shape the future organizational structure of the Paralympic movement.