QUICK FACTS
Created Jan 0001
Status Verified Sarcastic
Type Existential Dread
Keywords
1964 summer olympics, multi-sport, tokyo, japan, 1940 summer olympics, second sino-japanese war, world war ii, 2020 summer olympics, covid-19 pandemic, ioc session

1964 Summer Olympics

“The Games of the XVIII Olympiad, commonly known as the 1964 Summer Olympics and officially as the Games of the XVIII Olympiad, were a grand spectacle of...”

Contents
  • 1. Overview
  • 2. Etymology
  • 3. Cultural Impact

The Games of the XVIII Olympiad, commonly known as the 1964 Summer Olympics and officially as the Games of the XVIII Olympiad, were a grand spectacle of international multi-sport competition held in Tokyo , Japan . The event spanned from October 10th to October 24th, 1964, bringing together athletes from across the globe. It’s worth noting that Tokyo had previously been awarded the honor of hosting the 1940 Summer Olympics , a distinction that was ultimately rescinded due to Japan’s escalating involvement in the Second Sino-Japanese War , and later cancelled altogether due to the outbreak of World War II . The 1964 Games marked Tokyo’s inaugural experience as an Olympic host city. In a rather poignant twist of fate, these Games were the last to allow spectators in person, a privilege that would be denied to the 2020 Summer Olympics in the same city, due to the global COVID-19 pandemic . The decision to award Tokyo the hosting rights was made on May 26, 1959, during the 55th IOC Session held in West Germany.

These particular Olympic Games held immense significance as they were the first to be staged on the continent of Asia . Furthermore, they marked a pivotal moment in the Olympic movement’s stance against discrimination, as South Africa was excluded from participation due to its deeply entrenched policy of apartheid in sports. While South Africa had previously sent racially segregated teams, the International Olympic Committee demanded a unified, multi-racial delegation for the 1964 Games. South Africa’s refusal to comply led to their ban. Interestingly, the nation was permitted to compete in the 1964 Summer Paralympics , also hosted in Tokyo, marking their debut in the Paralympic Games.

The 1964 Tokyo Olympics also heralded a new era in sports broadcasting. For the first time, these Games were telecast internationally without the necessity of shipping recorded tapes across continents, a practice that had been standard for the 1960 Summer Olympics four years prior. Utilizing the groundbreaking Syncom 3 satellite, the first geostationary communication satellite, live broadcasts were transmitted to the United States, and subsequently relayed to Europe via Relay 1 . While these broadcasts were primarily in black and white, the Games also featured experimental color telecasts. Popular Japanese sports like sumo wrestling and judo were showcased using Toshiba ’s new color transmission technology, though these were for domestic viewing only. The enduring legacy of these Games was further cemented by the critically acclaimed 1965 documentary film Tokyo Olympiad , masterfully directed by Kon Ichikawa .

The scheduling of the Games in mid-October was a deliberate choice to circumvent the oppressive heat and humidity of Tokyo’s midsummer and the disruptive typhoon season that typically occurred in September. This contrasted with the Rome Games of 1960 , which experienced considerable heat, and the subsequent 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City , which also commenced in October. The 1964 Olympics also held the distinction of being the final Summer Games to utilize the traditional cinder track for athletics events; subsequent Games would feature the smoother, all-weather synthetic tracks. In terms of athletic prowess, the United States emerged as the leader in the gold medal count, while the Soviet Union secured the highest number of overall medals.

Years later, in 2021, Tokyo once again found itself in the Olympic spotlight, hosting the 2020 Summer Olympics . This made Tokyo the first city in Asia to host the Summer Games on two separate occasions. Japan’s experience with hosting the Olympic Games extends to the Winter edition as well, with Sapporo hosting in 1972 and Nagano in 1998 .

Host City Selection

The selection process for the 1964 Summer Olympics host city culminated on May 26, 1959, at the 55th IOC Session held in Munich, West Germany . Tokyo emerged victorious, securing the rights over competing bids from Detroit, Brussels, and Vienna. Toronto , which had previously made an unsuccessful bid for the 1960 Games, once again put forth its candidacy but did not advance to the final selection round.

The results of the 1964 Summer Olympics bidding process were as follows:

CityCountryRound 1
TokyoJapan34
DetroitUnited States10
ViennaAustria9
BrusselsBelgium5

Highlights

The 1964 Tokyo Olympics were replete with memorable moments and significant achievements:

  • The iconic lighting of the Olympic flame was performed by Yoshinori Sakai . His selection was deeply symbolic, as he was born in Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, the very day the city endured the atomic bombing. His role embodied Japan’s remarkable postwar recovery and its commitment to peace.
  • The vibrant sounds of Kumi-daiko were introduced to a global audience during the Festival of Arts presentation, offering a glimpse into traditional Japanese drumming.
  • Judo and volleyball , both deeply ingrained in Japanese culture, made their official Olympic debuts. While Japan celebrated victories in judo, the Dutch judoka Anton Geesink achieved a significant triumph by winning the Open category, defeating Japan’s Akio Kaminaga on home soil. The Japanese women’s volleyball team also captured the gold medal, with their final match drawing massive viewership.
  • The women’s pentathlon , a demanding event comprising shot put , high jump , hurdling , sprint , and long jump , was added to the athletics program.
  • Wrestler Osamu Watanabe of Japan concluded his illustrious career with a gold medal in freestyle wrestling, an achievement made more remarkable by the fact that he surrendered no points throughout the competition. He retired undefeated, holding the unique distinction of being the only undefeated Olympic champion at that time, with a record of 189 wins and 0 losses.
  • Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina continued to add to her impressive medal collection, securing two gold, one silver, and two bronze medals. Her record of 18 Olympic medals (nine gold, five silver, four bronze) stood as a benchmark until it was surpassed by Michael Phelps in 2012 .
  • VΔ›ra ČÑslavskΓ‘ of Czechoslovakia claimed three gold medals, including the coveted individual all-around title, establishing herself as a dominant force in gymnastics.
  • Australian swimmer Dawn Fraser achieved a remarkable feat by winning the 100m freestyle event for the third consecutive Olympics. This same accomplishment was mirrored by Soviet rower Vyacheslav Ivanov in the single scull event.
  • American swimmer Don Schollander showcased his exceptional talent by winning four gold medals in swimming events.
  • Abebe Bikila of Ethiopia etched his name in history by becoming the first athlete to win the Olympic marathon twice.
  • The prodigious 15-year-old swimmer Sharon Stouder from the United States garnered four medals, three of which were gold.
  • New Zealand’s Peter Snell joined an elite group of athletes by winning gold medals in both the 800m and 1500m races, a feat previously achieved only by Albert Hill and Edwin Flack.
  • In a stunning upset, Billy Mills , an American runner considered an underdog, became the first and only Native American to win the gold medal in the men’s 10,000m race.
  • Bob Hayes of the United States claimed the 100-meter title with a time of 10.06 seconds, equalling the world record, and also anchored the 4Γ—100m relay team to a new world record with his blistering leg.
  • Future heavyweight boxing champion of the world, Joe Frazier , secured a gold medal in the heavyweight division, competing with a broken thumb.
  • These Games marked the last occasion where a cinder running track was used for athletic competitions. Simultaneously, they were the first Olympics to incorporate fiberglass poles in the pole vault event.
  • On the day of the closing ceremony, Zambia declared its independence, making it the first country to participate in an Olympic Games under one name and depart under another. The Zambian team proudly marched with a placard bearing their new nation’s name during the closing ceremony, a unique occurrence.
  • The inauguration of Japan’s revolutionary high-speed rail system, the Tōkaidō Shinkansen , often referred to as the “bullet train,” was strategically timed to coincide with the Olympic Games. The first scheduled service commenced on October 1st, 1964, connecting Tokyo Station with Shin-Ōsaka Station and significantly reducing travel time between major metropolitan areas.
  • Ranatunge Karunananda , representing Ceylon in the men’s 10,000 meters , became a symbol of perseverance. He continued to run alone even after all other competitors had finished, initially met with jeers but ultimately earning a standing ovation. His remarkable display of sportsmanship earned him a place in Japanese school textbooks, under the title ‘Uniform Number 67’, ‘Bottom Ranked Hero’.

Sports

The 1964 Summer Olympics featured a comprehensive program of 19 distinct sports, encompassing 25 disciplines, with medals awarded across 163 different events. The schedule included:

It is worth noting that the official report from the Japanese Olympic Committee referred to Sailing as “yachting.”

Demonstration Sports

In addition to the official competitive events, two sports were featured as demonstrations:

Medal Count

The 1964 Summer Olympics medal table saw the United States top the gold medal standings, while the Soviet Union accumulated the most medals overall.

RankNationGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1United States36262890
2Soviet Union30313596
3Japan *165829
4United Team of Germany10221850
5Italy1010727
6Hungary107522
7Poland761023
8Australia621018
9Czechoslovakia56314
10Great Britain412218

Note: The asterisk indicates the host nation.

The standard convention for ranking countries in the Olympic medal table is by the number of gold medals won, followed by silver, and then bronze medals.

Participating National Olympic Committees

A remarkable ninety-four nations sent athletes to compete in the 1964 Games. Sixteen nations made their Olympic debut in Tokyo: Algeria , Cameroon , Chad , Republic of the Congo , CΓ΄te d’Ivoire (then known as Ivory Coast), Dominican Republic , Libya (though its sole athlete withdrew before competition), Madagascar , Malaysia , Mali , Mongolia , Nepal , Niger , Northern Rhodesia , Senegal , and Tanzania (as Tanganyika). Malaysia had previously competed under the name Malaya .

Northern Rhodesia achieved its independence as Zambia on the same day as the closing ceremony, marking a significant historical moment. Athletes from Southern Rhodesia competed under the name Rhodesia , this being their third and final appearance at the Summer Olympics. The nation of Zimbabwe would later make its debut at the 1980 Summer Olympics .

Athletes from East Germany and West Germany competed as a unified team, known as the United Team of Germany , a continuation of the practice from the 1956 and 1960 Games. However, from the 1968 Winter Olympics onwards, these nations began fielding separate teams.

Indonesia was initially banned from the 1964 Olympics due to its refusal to grant visas to athletes from Israel and Taiwan for the 1962 Asian Games . This ban, decided upon in Lausanne on February 7, 1963, was eventually lifted on June 26, 1964, following a shift in the Government of Indonesia ’s stance regarding the Tokyo Games.

The following is a comprehensive list of participating National Olympic Committees , along with the number of athletes each sent:

Additionally, Libya participated in the Opening Ceremony, but its single athlete, a marathon runner, withdrew from competition.

The number of athletes per National Olympic Committee was as follows:

IOC CodeCountryAthletes
USAUnited States346
EUAUnited Team of Germany337
JPNJapan328
URSSoviet Union317
AUSAustralia243
GBRGreat Britain204
HUNHungary182
ITAItaly168
KORSouth Korea154
POLPoland140
FRAFrance138
ROURomania138
NEDNetherlands125
CANCanada115
CZSCzechoslovakia104
ARGArgentina102
MEXMexico94
SWESweden94
FINFinland89
YUGYugoslavia75
EGYEgypt73
SUISwitzerland66
NZLNew Zealand64
BULBulgaria63
IRNIran62
BELBelgium61
BRABrazil61
MASMalaysia61
DENDenmark60
AUTAustria56
THAThailand54
INDIndia53
SPASpain51
PHIPhilippines47
PAKPakistan41
TWNTaiwan40
HKGHong Kong39
KENKenya37
GHAGhana33
PURPuerto Rico32
PERPeru31
RHORhodesia29
CUBCuba27
NORNorway26
IRLIreland25
TURTurkey23
URUUruguay23
JAMJamaica21
MGLMongolia21
COLColombia20
MARMorocco20
PORPortugal20
GREGreece18
NGRNigeria18
VENVenezuela16
VIEVietnam16
CHIChile14
CAMCambodia13
IRQIraq13
TRITrinidad and Tobago13
UGAUganda13
ETHEthiopia12
LUXLuxembourg12
NRHNorthern Rhodesia12
SENSenegal12
BAHBahamas11
BIRBurma11
ISRIsrael10
PANPanama10
CIVIvory Coast9
TUNTunisia9
AFGAfghanistan8
CEYCeylon6
NEPNepal6
LIBLebanon5
BERBermuda4
ISLIceland4
NANNetherlands Antilles4
TAGTanganyika4
MADMadagascar3
CHAChad2
CGORepublic of the Congo2
CRCCosta Rica2
LIELiechtenstein2
MLIMali2
AGRAlgeria1
BOLBolivia1
CMRCameroon1
DOMDominican Republic1
GUYGuyana1
LBRLiberia1
MONMonaco1
NGRNiger1
Total5,137

Calendar

The Olympic Games commenced with the opening ceremony on October 10th and concluded with the closing ceremony on October 24th, 1964. All times are listed in Japan Standard Time (UTC+9).

DayOct 10 (Sat)Oct 11 (Sun)Oct 12 (Mon)Oct 13 (Tue)Oct 14 (Wed)Oct 15 (Thu)Oct 16 (Fri)Oct 17 (Sat)Oct 18 (Sun)Oct 19 (Mon)Oct 20 (Tue)Oct 21 (Wed)Oct 22 (Thu)Oct 23 (Fri)Oct 24 (Sat)
CeremoniesOCCC
Aquatics
Diving●1●1●●1●
Swimming●2233224
Water Polo●●●●●1
Athletics34565436
Basketball●●●●●●●●●●1
Boxing●●●●●●●●●●10
Canoeing●●7
Cycling1
Equestrian●●2●226
Fencing●1111●111●8
Field hockey●●●●●●●●●●●1
Football●●●●●●1
Gymnastics●●225514
Judo1111
Modern pentathlon●●●●2
Rowing●●●●7
Sailing●●●●●5
Shooting1111116
Volleyball●●●●●●●●●●2
Weightlifting11111117
Wrestling●●●8●●●816
Daily medal events143171912121317101514242163
Cumulative total158254456688198108123137161163163

Venues

The venues of the 1964 Summer Olympics were spread across Tokyo and surrounding areas, with several iconic structures playing a central role:

Transportation and Communications

The 1964 Tokyo Olympics were a watershed moment for international sports broadcasting. For the first time, live telecasts were beamed across the globe, facilitated by the pioneering use of the Syncom 3 satellite, the world’s first geostationary communications satellite. Broadcasts reached the United States and were then relayed to Europe via Relay 1 . The total broadcast time delivered via satellite amounted to 5 hours and 41 minutes in the US, 12 hours and 27 minutes in Europe, and 14 hours and 18 minutes in Canada, reaching 21 European countries. While the satellite transmission was a triumph for the American government and Hughes Corporation , the rights-holding broadcaster NBC initially showed limited enthusiasm, only agreeing due to pressure from the State Department. NBC’s decision to delay broadcasts on the West Coast to avoid disrupting prime-time programming led to significant controversy, particularly with the State Department and Hughes Aircraft, which had competed against RCA (NBC’s parent company) for the satellite contract.

The completion of TRANSPAC-1 , the first trans-Pacific communications cable linking Japan to Hawaii in June 1964, also revolutionized communication. Prior to this, most international communication from Japan relied on shortwave radio.

The launch of the Tokaido Shinkansen high-speed rail line, connecting Tokyo Station to Shin-Ōsaka Station , was perfectly timed with the Games. The first scheduled service on October 1st, just nine days before the opening, offered a rapid 515-kilometer journey, significantly enhancing connectivity between Tokyo, Nagoya , and Osaka .

In preparation for the Games, several infrastructure projects were expedited, including upgrades to highways and commuter rail lines. Key sections of major expressways were completed, along with 22 kilometers of new subway lines. The port of Tokyo also saw significant expansion to accommodate the influx of visitors.

Visual Identity

The 1964 Summer Olympics were the first to implement the use of pictograms as a visual aid for international visitors, designed by Masaru Katsumi. This innovation set a precedent for future Olympic Games. While not an official mascot, the mythical kappa became a popular unofficial symbol, appearing on pins associated with the Olympic logo. These kappa pins were a tradition dating back to 1956, with the 1964 edition specifically commemorating the Games.

Cost

The estimated cost of the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics, adjusted to 2015 US dollars, was $282 million. This figure encompasses operational costs and direct capital expenditures for venues and infrastructure directly related to staging the Games. It notably excludes indirect costs such as broader transportation and hotel upgrades. This cost is significantly lower than many subsequent Olympic Games, such as Rio 2016 ($4.6 billion), Beijing 2008 ($40–44 billion), and Sochi 2014 (the most expensive at $51 billion). The average cost for Summer Games since 1960 is approximately $5.2 billion.

Legacy

The 1964 Tokyo Olympics were a profound statement of Japan’s post-war resurgence and its re-establishment on the global stage. Within two decades, Japan had transformed from a wartime adversary into a peaceful nation, a narrative powerfully conveyed through these Games.

To accommodate the expected influx of tourists, Tokyo’s infrastructure underwent a massive modernization effort. This included the construction of new buildings, highways, stadiums, hotels, and the expansion of airports and rail networks. The introduction of a new satellite facilitated live international broadcasts, and a new undersea communications cable connected Japan globally. The YS-11 , a domestically developed turboprop aircraft, was even used to transport the Olympic Flame within Japan. Innovations in sports timing, such as touchpads for swimming and photo finishes, were introduced, showcasing Japan’s technological advancements.

However, these ambitious construction projects also resulted in environmental degradation, forced relocations of residents, and the displacement of industries. Reports of corruption among politicians and construction companies also surfaced, contributing to cost overruns and subpar construction in some instances.

Despite initial divisions in public opinion, the Games ultimately garnered widespread support. The opening ceremony captivated over 70% of the viewing audience, and the women’s volleyball gold medal match drew an astounding 80% viewership.

As is often the case with large-scale events, the long-term impact of the 1964 Olympic preparations on the environment and lower-income communities has been a subject of later discussion.

The Cary Grant film Walk, Don’t Run , set during the Tokyo Olympics, offers a fictionalized glimpse into the atmosphere of the time. The Studio Ghibli film From Up on Poppy Hill also references the upcoming Games, with the official poster appearing in the film.

Tokyo’s ambition to host the Olympics again was realized with the awarding of the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics , making it the first Asian city to host the Summer Games twice. The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic forced a historic postponement of these Games to 2021.

The Japan Society’s Fall 2019 exhibition, “Made in Tokyo: Architecture and Living, 1964/2020,” curated by Atelier Bow-Wow , explored the profound social, cultural, economic, and political impacts of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics on the city’s architectural landscape.

A curious aspect of Japan’s modernization, partly spurred by the 1964 Olympics, involved the reconstruction of its Japanese castles . Many of these historical structures had been dismantled during the Meiji restoration in the late 19th century as Japan embraced Westernization. To cater to the influx of tourists for the Games, many castles were rebuilt, often using inexpensive concrete replicas. Consequently, a significant number of the castles visible in Japan today are modern constructions rather than original historical edifices.

Boycotting Countries

North Korea withdrew its athletes from the 1964 Summer Olympics shortly before the Games commenced. This decision stemmed from the IOC ’s refusal to permit any athletes who had participated in the Games of the New Emerging Forces (GANEFO), held in Jakarta , Indonesia, in 1963. China and Indonesia also opted not to attend the Tokyo Games due to their involvement with GANEFO.

See Also

Notes

  • ^ The Japanese name for the event was “1964年倏季γ‚ͺγƒͺンピック” (1964-Nen Kaki Orinpikku).
  • ^ The official Japanese title was “第18ε›žγ‚ͺγƒͺγƒ³γƒ”γƒƒγ‚―η«ΆζŠ€ε€§δΌš” (Dai JΕ«hachi-kai Orinpikku Kyōgi Taikai).
  • ^ The common name used was “東京1964” (Tokyo 1964).