i’m not a sports lover by any means, but like many people i tend to get swept up into the excitement of the Olympics. of course it’s pretty different these days to what it was like decades ago – far simpler, not such extravagant opening ceremonies, perhaps even not as competitive (we’re looking at you, Russia). here are some photos from bygone Olympics, courtesy of LIFE.

Summer Olympics, 1956. Great Britain and Northern Ireland in parade

Summer Olympics, 1956

Opening Of Olympics, 1960

Opening Of Olympics, 1960

Opening Of Olympics, 1960

Opening Of Olympics, 1960

Opening Of Olympics, 1960

Summer Olympics, 1960. Members of the US team

Summer Olympics, 1964.

Summer Olympics, 1968

Summer Olympics, 1968

Summer Olympics, 1968

Summer Olympics, 1968. Debbie Meyer doing an arm strengthening exercise

Summer Olympics, 1968. Lee Evans (C) Larry James (L) and Ronald Freeman (R) after their victory for the 400 meter race

Summer Olympics, 1968. Olympic swimmers Debbie Meyer(R) and Catie Ball(L) in the crowd

Opening Ceremony, 1968

Summer Olympics, 1968. US athletes Debbie Meyer, Charlie Green (C) and Bob Seagren

Summer Olympics, 1968. US team during opening ceremony

Summer Olympics, 1972. Shot-putter Al Fuerbach tenses for a throw

Summer Olympics, 1972. US gymnast Ludmila Turishcheva in action on the vault

Summer Olympics, 1972. US swimmer Mark Spitz
The Olympics used to be so human…
These are so, so great. I could look at vintage Olympics photos all day. Thanks for posting!
That shot of team USA during the opening ceremony in 1968 is EVERYTHING. Much more stylish than most Olympic outfits we see these days!
So amazing to see. You do have to wonder what they’re carrying in their purses though ;)