#ThrowBackThursday: On this day in 1968

Today in 1968, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ban on South African athletes was lifted for the first time.

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Prior to the Tokyo Olympics, the South African National Olympic Committee (NOC) was banned from competing in the Olympic Games in 1964, because of its racial discrimination against athletes during the Apartheid Era.

After making some concessions South Africa was expected to participate in the ’68 Olympics in Mexico City, but various black states in Africa threatened to boycott the games, should South Africa’s ban not be lifted.

None the less  the IOC decided to re-admit South Africa on February 15.

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