Olympic Games
Events > Olympics > Summer > Hosts > Rome
Rome 1960
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In Rome, a
record 5,348 athletes from 83 countries competed. -
The Rome Olympics in 1960 was the first Olympics covered by U.S. television by CBS, and the first covered by television worldwide.
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Ethiopian marathoner Abebe Bikila won the marathon, running barefoot, and became the first black African to win a gold medal. He successfully defended his title four years later in Tokyo, this time wearing shoes.
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18-year-old boxer Cassius Clay, later to be known as Muhammad Ali, was the light heavyweight boxing champion.
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American Wilma Rudolph won three gold medals in Track and Fidls running events.
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After taking amphetamines, Danish cyclist Knuth Jensen collapsed during a race, fatally fracturing his skull.
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The Soviets again topped the medal tally, with 103 medals (43 gold) to the USA 71 medals (34 gold).
Related Pages
- complete list of Olympic host cities
- Italy at the Olympic Games
