Story By: Juan Mayes, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Golder’s News And Sport

This former Olympian who made history by becoming the first woman to light the Olympic cauldron has died at the age 71.

Mexican Olympian Norma Enriqueta Basilio Sotelo died this Saturday 26th October at the age of 71 after she gained world-recognition for being the first woman to light the Olympic Cauldron in the 1968 Summer Olympics in the Mexican capital Mexico City in the University Olympic Stadium.

The Mexican Olympic Committee (COM) made the news public in an announcement saying: “The Mexican #OlympicFamily is sorry for the loss of our beloved #EnriquetaBasilio, a global symbol for Olympians after being the first woman to light the Olympic Cauldron #JOMexico68.

“Our condolences to her children, family members and friends in this difficult period. RIP.”

Local media report she passed away due to health complications she had been dealing with but the cause of death not been reported.

Basilio celebrated the 50th anniversary of her lighting the cauldron in Ciudad Universitaria in Mexico by re-enacting the historic event along with other Mexican athletes last year.

Basilio was a track and field athlete and was reportedly a national athletics champion in 80-metre hurdles. She finished seventh at the 1967 Pan American Games and won bronze at the 1970 Central American and Carribean Games in the 4×100 metres relay race.

Basilio participated in the 1968 Summer Olympics but was eliminated in the heats of the 400 metres, 80-metre hurdles and 4×100 metres relay race.

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