The Technological Innovations of the 1968 Winter Olympics

The 1968 Winter Olympics held in Grenoble, France, were a pivotal event for several reasons. One of the most significant developments was in the area of drug testing, which was still in its early stages at the time. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) conducted 86 tests at the X Olympic Winter Games, all of which yielded negative results. Fast forward to the Rio 2016 Olympics, and 4,913 samples were analysed, resulting in 29 adverse findings. This demonstrates the significant evolution of the drug testing process over the years.

Another controversial innovation was the Barr body test, a chromosome test used to verify the gender of female athletes. This test affected athletes like Erica Schinegger, an Austrian downhill skier who was prevented from competing in Grenoble after “failing” the test. Over the years, the Barr body test garnered criticism for its inaccuracy and unfairness, and was ultimately discontinued after the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. The IOC has since developed a new framework to ensure fairness and inclusion for all athletes based on gender identity and sex variations.

The 1968 Games also saw advancements in television coverage, with 90 hours of action broadcast in colour to a global audience of 600 million. Despite logistical challenges, the host broadcaster managed to provide extensive coverage of the Winter Olympics. Television coverage has only grown since then, with the PyeongChang 2018 Olympics reaching a global cumulative audience of 1.92 billion.

Innovations in sports timekeeping were also introduced at the 1968 Games, with split and finish times displayed on TV and electronic scoreboards, as well as the use of accurate time recorders and new speed recorders. This laid the foundation for the highly advanced timekeeping technology used in the Rio 2016 Olympics, where Omega unveiled a photo-finish camera capable of taking 10,000 digital images per second.

The figure skating competitions at Grenoble 1968 also saw technological advancements, with judges entering their scores individually on a keyboard, which were then displayed simultaneously on an electronic scoreboard.

Additionally, the 1968 Winter Olympics introduced pictograms to denote the sports and disciplines on the programme, inspiring future designs for the Games. These pictograms have become an iconic representation of the Olympics, conveying the unique characteristics of each sport.

Another memorable aspect of the 1968 Winter Olympics was the debut of Schuss, the first official Olympic mascot. Schuss, a zig-zag figure on skis with a red head and a blue and white body, became a symbol of the Games and paid tribute to the French flag. Olympic mascots have since become an integral part of the Games, representing the host city’s culture and history and embodying the values of the Olympics.

In conclusion, the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble were a turning point for technological innovations in the Games. From drug testing to gender verification, television coverage, sports timekeeping, and the introduction of iconic pictograms and mascots, these innovations have shaped the modern Olympic experience. As we look ahead to future Olympic Games, we can expect continued advancements in technology and new developments that enhance the global spectacle of the Olympics.