First woman to light the Olympic cauldron

Enriqueta Basilio

Enriqueta Basilio (1968-01-10)The Olympic Museum

Change Makers

While individuals may encounter difficulties in life simply because of their gender, skin colour, religion or country of origin, the Games, with the diversity of the athletes who take part, champion the right to be different.   Participating at the Games may not change the world, but it can certainly help make a difference.

Enriqueta Basilio (1968-10-12) by IOCThe Olympic Museum

All fired up: A woman’s hand lights the Olympic cauldron
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Enriqueta Basilio (Mex, Athletics) - 1948-2019


All fired up: A woman’s hand lights the Olympic cauldron.

After the first woman to pronounce the Olympic oath in 1956 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Enriqueta became the first female torchbearer to light the cauldron in 1968 in Mexico City.

Even if she failed to win a medal in the 80m, 400m or 4×100m relay, she makes sure that the memory of the Olympic flame lives on in her country by each year organising a race, the Recorrido del Fuego Simbólico por la Paz y el Deporte, all over Mexico to commemorate the 1968 Summer Games.

Enriqueta Basilio : Making her entranceThe Olympic Museum

Making her entrance

Enriqueta Basilio : A few metres left to runThe Olympic Museum

A few metres left to run

Enriqueta Basilio : Lighting the cauldron to open the GamesThe Olympic Museum

Lighting the cauldron to open the Games

Enriqueta Basilio (1968-10-13) by IOCThe Olympic Museum

Credits: Story

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Useful information about The Olympic Museum in Lausanne www.olympic.org/museum

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Mexican Sports: More Than a Game
Explore Mexico's sporting history, culture, and communities
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