The legendary Mexico '68 pool
The venue that defined a decade and transformed a nation's sporting future
Mexico 68 Olympic Complex (2023-11-16) by Alejandro Rodriguez TorresAlcaldía Benito Juárez
Waves of glory
The bustling avenues of the Benito Juárez municipality are home to a real treasure: The Francisco Márquez Olympic Pool.
Mexico 68 Olympic Complex (2023-11-16) by Alejandro Rodriguez TorresAlcaldía Benito Juárez
The treasure of the Olympics
Inaugurated on September 13, 1968 by President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz and designed by architects Antonio Recamier and Edmundo Bringas, this venue became a shining symbol of Mexico in the eyes of the world, and a crucial stage for Mexico '68.
Mexico 68 Olympic Complex (2023-11-16) by Alejandro Rodriguez TorresAlcaldía Benito Juárez
Concrete waves
The big challenge in constructing the pool was its beautiful undulating ceiling, which had to cover a large open space. Romero Burton, who is originally from Pachuca, Hidalgo, was responsible for resolving the steel structure.
Mexico 68 Olympic Complex (2023-11-16) by Alejandro Rodriguez TorresAlcaldía Benito Juárez
A legendary space
The pool is not only known for being an epicenter of the Mexican Olympic spirit, but also for being home to one of the greatest sporting achievements in the country's history.
Mexico 68 Olympic Complex (2023-11-16) by Alejandro Rodriguez TorresAlcaldía Benito Juárez
In the company of legends
It was in the Mexico 1968 Olympics when a young man nicknamed El Tibio (meaning lukewarm) surprised the world by qualifying as the fastest to the final of the 200 m breaststroke. His nickname El Tibio derives from his parents' origins—his father was from the city of Aguascalientes (Hot Waters), and his mother was from Rio Frio (Cold River).
Mexico 68 Olympic Complex (2023-11-16) by Alejandro Rodriguez TorresAlcaldía Benito Juárez
An immense challenge
The Olympics had been unfolding for 10 days and Mexico, as host, had yet to win a medal. Aged just 17, Felipe Muñoz "El Tibio" didn't enter the pool that day as the favorite—that honor belonged to Russian Vladimir Kominsky, world record holder.
Legendary moment
Only 2 minutes and 28 seconds after overtaking Kominsky with only 27 yards remaining to the finish line, El Tibio was to become a legend and go on to win the Olympic gold, becoming the only Mexican to achieve this honor.
Although almost six decades have passed, El Tibio's incredible achievement still echoes through the Olympic pool's waters.
Mexico 68 Olympic Complex (2023-11-16) by Alejandro Rodriguez TorresAlcaldía Benito Juárez
Current inspiration
The pool has become the heart of the community, and is home to children, the elderly and all kinds of people who each and every day are inspired by the legends upheld in its orange brick walls.
Mexico 68 Olympic Complex (2023-11-16) by Alejandro Rodriguez TorresAlcaldía Benito Juárez
Innovations of the time
Mexico '68 was groundbreaking in more than one sense. Being the very first Olympics to be broadcast in color, a more modern broadcast required a special design. Large windows were installed in the bowels of the building for television cameras.
Mexico 68 Olympic Complex (2023-11-16) by Alejandro Rodriguez TorresAlcaldía Benito Juárez
Water mechanics
Another innovation was the large systems to maintain the temperature of the pools at an Olympic competition standard of between 77°F and 80°F. An immense feat of engineering, which users still benefit from today.
Mexico 68 Olympic Complex (2023-11-16) by Alejandro Rodriguez TorresAlcaldía Benito Juárez
Living legends
It's home too to Yolotl Cabral and Diego García, two exceptional Mexicans seeking to emulate El Tibio and achieve their own Olympic diving dream.
Mexico 68 Olympic Complex (2023-11-22) by Alejandro Rodriguez TorresAlcaldía Benito Juárez
Celebrating resilience and passion
More than a venue, the Olympic pool has become a monument to human determination, and a place where passion and effort converge with Olympic spirit and community strength.
Mexico 68 Olympic Complex (2023-11-16) by Alejandro Rodriguez TorresAlcaldía Benito Juárez
The Olympic Pool: The Heart of Mexican Swimming
As the epicenter of swimming in Mexico, the Francisco Márquez Olympic Pool has become an ocean of stories, triumphs and dreams.
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