In 1964 in Tokyo, 5,151 athletes from 93 nations squared off at the first Olympics to take place in Asia. The first-ever Olympic judo and volleyball events were held, with the Japanese earning gold in every Judo category except for one and the Soviet Union winning the volleyball tournament. The Soviets won the medal count as well, defeating the Americans 96-90.

With six medals, including two gold, at the Tokyo Games, Ukrainian gymnast Larysa Latynina became the leading medal winner of all time, having won a total of 18 medals over the course of three Olympics beginning in Melbourne in 1956. Her victory in the floor exercise at Tokyo was her third straight.