Unused official 1968 Mexico Olympics ‘type 4’ torch, constructed of black aluminum and a wooden handle, measuring 20.5″ in length and 4″ at its widest point. The upper metal ring features a pattern of six doves and the metallic label at the bottom reads “Mexico” twice. Base of torch bears label with the Olympics logo encircled by the text, “Comite Organizador De Los Juegos De La XIX Olympiada, Villazon-Murdock.” Scattered light wear and slight peeling to bottom label. Includes the original Olympic case. The torch relay recreated the route taken by Christopher Columbus to the New World, and began on August 23, 1968, in Olympia, Greece. It notably traveled through Columbus’s birthplace in Genoa, where he set sail from Palos in Spain, and the first land he reached in San Salvador. In all, there were 2,778 torchbearers on the 13,546 km route.
