Soviet Union at the 1968 Summer Olympics participate in all seven rowing events in 1968. Twelve shooters, all men, represented the Soviet Union in 1968. Between them they won two gold and two bronze medals. Soviet Union at the 1968 Summer Olympics The Soviet Union (USSR) competed at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. 312 competitors, 246 men and 66 women, took part in 164 events in 18 sports. The USSR finished second in the final medal rankings, with 29 gold and 91 total medals. Fifteen cyclists represented the Soviet Union in 1968. 20 fencers, 15 men and 5 women, represented the Soviet Union in 1968.
Mark Spitz 4:10.60 and emerged on the world swimming stage. Spitz swam in his first international competition at the 1965 Maccabiah Games. At age 15 in Tel Aviv, he won four gold medals and was named the most outstanding athlete. He returned to Israel in 1969 following the Mexico Olympics to again compete in the Maccabiah Games. This time, he won six gold medals. He was again named outstanding athlete of the Games. In 1985, Spitz lit a torch to open the Maccabiah Games. In 2005, he was a member of the U.S. delegation at the 17th Maccabiah Games. He spoke at