TOKYO 1964

Japan spent nearly $3 billion, six times as much as any previous host country, on the first Asian Olympics which succeeded triumphantly in their primary aim of regenerating the war-ravaged city.

The torch was carried into the stadium by 19-year-old Yoshinori Sakai, born near Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, an hour after the first atomic bomb destroyed the city.

Australian swimmer Dawn Fraser attracted more than her share of headlines, first for winning a third consecutive 100 metres freestyle gold medal and then for her part on a flag-raiding mission to the Emperor's palace. American Don Schollander became the first swimmer to win four gold medals and Soviet gymnast Larissa Latynina gathered two golds, two silvers and two bronzes to bring her career total to 18.

On the track American Bob Hayes was awesome in the men's 100 metres final, equalling the world record of 10.0 seconds.

New Zealander Peter Snell won the 800-1,500 double and Billy Mills, an American with Sioux Indian ancestry, came from nowhere to win the 10,000 metres ahead of Australia's world record holder Ron Clarke.