“You’re going to get a concept that maybe this really is one world and why the hell can’t we learn to live together like decent people.” ~ Astronaut Frank Borman, on seeing the entire earth from outer space as he and the crew of the Apollo 8 returned from orbiting the moon.
Jean-Claude Killy and Peggy Fleming, 1968 Winter Olympics
Officially known as the X Olympics Winter Games, the 1968 games were held in Grenoble, France. Thirty-seven countries participated.
Jean-Claude Killy (France) won three gold medals in alpine skiing. Peggy Fleming won the only United States gold medal, in figure skating. Partially due to extensive television coverage, both Killy and Fleming became celebrities.
The 1968 games also marked the first time that the International Olympic Committee ordered drug testing of athletes.
BONUS MUSIC!
Here’s the #62 song from Billboard’s Year-End Top 100 Singles of 1968
“Magic Carpet Ride” by Steppenwolf
I remember that green dress so well! Did you know that Peggy’s Mom made it for her? So different from the costumes of today. That dress probably cost Mrs. Fleming about $1.98. I exaggerate of course, but imagine the price of those little outfits today.
Fleming and Killy, such iconic names from 1968.
I didn’t know that, Connie! Yes, the costumes are so elaborate now. Big money.
Martha, I just found this; I thought you would enjoy it:
“Doris had made six dresses that week, including a chartreuse costume with rhinestoned cuffs and neckline. She picked chartreuse after learning that monks in the Grenoble region of France made Chartreuse Liqueur at a nearby monastery. Doris believed that the particular green hue, reminiscent of the herbal liqueur, would subliminally cause French audiences to cheer on her daughter, which would in turn boost Fleming’s confidence.” (from the NBCOlympics website).
Smart Mom!
Oh, wow, Connie! Thank you for sharing this wonderful bit of history!
No drug testing before then? Interesting. Then, again, drugs weren’t as advanced. Today, it seems athletes (in some parts) are always ahead of the officials in that aspect.
Maybe no one was taking performance drugs, Silvia? Or maybe they were….
I was still pretty young in 1968. I remember the skater but not the olympics. I remember the song too!! One of the oldie’s but goodie’s…Nice job Martha 🙂
Thanks, Patti!
What a great song to go with this post!
Thanks, Trisha. So many of the posts for 1968 are dreary, war-related, depressing. At least we had good music then!
When we were kids skiing, we used to pretend we were Jean Claude Killy…..in the winter. In the summer I was the greatest 3rd baseman ever; Brooks Robinson!
I wouldn’t imagine you’d pretend to be Peggy Fleming! (Maura and Peggy maybe). And YES to Brooks Robinson! The Human Vacuum Cleaner!
Exactly!
That brings back some memories. I wanted to be an olympic skier after that year.
Glad you pulled from archives for us.
Do you remember that Peggy Fleming and Jean-Claude Killy had a TV special after the Olympics?
I don’t! But maybe I watched. I’m sure my parents would have seen it. TV really made them famous.
Hi Martha – I remember Killy – he was a real star and a great athlete. But Grenoble is stunning with so much history … cheers Hilary
Sports is such a great opportunity to get along. I hate that sometimes that gets ruined.
For me as well!
Peggy Fleming was a little girl’s idol at the time!