Sorry not sure I understand you post, but if I follow: - you're claiming that the Fields medal did not switch over in 1966 - I think many would disagree, that'

Sorry not sure I understand you post, but if I follow: - you're claiming that the Fields medal did not switch over in 1966 - I think many would disagree, that's generally cited as the year the change happened. - you're claiming that a good explanation why Grothendieck didn't win in 1962 is because he was just fleshing things out? I think that is also incorrect - he introduced etale cohomology in 1960 - from 58-66 Grothendieck's output was pretty ridiculous.