BBC SPORT | HISTORY | Tokyo 1964

Tokyo and Asia hosted its first Games and the crowds flocked to witness the competition after an estimated $3bn was spent on stadiums and transport facilities.

South Africa no longer received an invitation, while Indonesia and North Korea were banned, but 14 nations did make their Olympic debuts as a record 93 countries took part.

Volleyball and judo were new to the Games and Dutchman Antonius Geesink caused an upset when he won the prestigious open judo event.

Ethiopian Abebe Bikila successfully defended his marathon title, this time in shoes and only six weeks after having his appendix removed.

Mary Rand becomes the first female British athlete to win gold

Mary Rand picked up Great Britain's first ever gold in women's athletics and her room-mate Ann Packer soon matched her achievement in the 800m.

The most successful athlete at the Games was American swimmer Don Schollander with four gold medals, while Soviet gymnast Larissa Latynina celebrated her final Olympic appearance with two more golds and six medals in total.

At three Olympics (1956 to 1964) she finished on the podium on no fewer than 18 occasions.




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