100 metres Breaststroke, Women

The 100 metre breaststroke was new to the Olympic Program in 1968. American Catie Ball had set the last five world records and had won the Pan American Games in 1967 and came to Mexico City favored. In the semi-finals she qualified as the equal second fastest, with her teammate Sharon Wichman, behind the surprising Ana María Norbis of Uruguay. Also expected to challenge was the 1964 200 breaststroke gold medalist Halyna Prozumenshchykova of the Soviet Union. The early lead in the final was taken by Germany’s Uta Frommater but Ball led at the turn. However, she flagged badly on the last lap and would place fifth. Prozumenshchykova took the lead at 75 metres only to see Yugoslavia’s Ðurđica Bjedov come from nowhere to touch out Prozumenshchykova for the gold medal, Wichman getting bronze. Bjedov’s only previous international experience came in 1966 when she won bronze at the European Championships. Catie Ball turned out to have been sick in Mexico City the entire time and she was withdrawn from further competition, after she was found to have a fever and swollen glands, and had lost 10 lbs (4.5 kg).