U of M: 1967 Pan Am Games - The Athletes
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1967 Pan Am Games Archive

The athletes

Divers - Beverly Boys and Larry Folinsbee, July 3, 1967 More than 1,200 winning athletes mounted the dais in 1967 at 17 sites during the two weeks of competition to accept gold, silver and bronze medals.

Top international athletes competed in baseball, boxing, cycling, judo, rowing, shooting, soccer, football, water polo, athletics, basketball, equestrian, fencing, gymnastics, swimming and diving, tennis, and volleyball for both men and women. In addition, synchronized swimming and canoeing were included as exhibition sports.

Games' stars that shone included Elaine Tanner (Mighty Mouse), who won gold in the 100 m and 200 m backstroke and silver in the 100 m butterfly to become Canada's darling of the Games; American tennis legend Arthur Ashe, who won bronze in men's singles; and Canadian Harry Jerome, who was awarded gold for his photo finish win in the 100-yard dash. A 17-year-old swimmer named Mark Spitz broke world records in the 100m and 200m butterfly and went on to make history at the 1972 Olympics, where he earned seven gold medals. Canadian athlete Andrew Boychuk won the marathon with a time of 2:23:02.4.

On the field of play, the 1967 Games marked several firsts for women in sport. In 1967, Marilyn Redekop of Winnipeg made international volleyball history when she umpired the men's match between Canada and Mexico.