Setting the FoundationThe 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow took place from July 19 to August 3, 1980. The Cold War was beginning to come to an end, but tensions were still high between the Soviet Union and the US. Leonid Brezhnev, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, orchestrated the expansion of Soviet influence in the developing world, ordered the invasion of Afghanistan and the expansion of the Soviet nuclear arsenal. (Russia:History) Meanwhile, Jimmy Carter had become an unpopular president in the United States. The final year of Carter's administration was plagued with many problems, including economic recession, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the Iranian hostage crisis. (The Origin of '80s Conservatism)
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"(Carter) Declaring that "it is very important for the world to realize how serious a threat the Soviets invasion of Afghanistan is,"
-Terence Smith, "The President Said Nyet" "Moving the Olympics from Moscow, Mr. Carter said, would "reverberate around the globe" and could "deter future aggression." -Terence Smith, "The President Said Nyet" In front of the potential athletes, Carter proceeded to announce, “We will not go to Moscow and participate in the Olympic games in your capital. We call for the moving of the Olympics or the delay of the Olympics for at least a year, until Soviet troops are withdrawn from Afghanistan, or the cancellation of the games, or either we would not participate.” -"Carter Announces Olympic Boycott to the Athletes." (speech) |
1. Newsweek magazine
2. NY Times |