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After preparing for the Summer Games of the XXII Olympiad,
athletes in the United States, Canada, Japan, and West Germany had no idea that political
decisions would keep them from the competitions. Yet, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
would be heard 'round the world as President
Jimmy Carter made a motion to boycott the Games being held in Moscow. The festivities,
however, began on July 19th and ran through August 3rd with nearly 6,000 competitors from
81 countries participating.
The Winter Games of the XIII Winter Olympiad, held in Lake
Placid, New York, were attended by more than 1,200 athletes from 37 countries. The Games
ran from February 12th through the 24th and earned the Soviet Union ten gold medals -- more
than any other country present.
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