Article

Abstract

Drawing on newly available Soviet archival materials, including hitherto unseen KGB reports, this article delves into the Soviet perspective on the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Soviet leaders expected the Games to become a showcase of socialism and invested heavily in their success. The article outlines the Kremlin’s response to growing calls for a boycott following their invasion of Afghanistan, which included diplomatic overtures to attract foreign participation and tireless propaganda campaigns. The article also recounts the challenges of hosting the Games against the backdrop of considerable political controversy, amid hostile media scrutiny, athlete defections, and organizational setbacks. The authors argue that while the boycott marred the event and embarrassed the Soviets, the USSR still managed to stage a relatively smooth Olympics. In the end, the Games became another Cold War battleground that underscored the close interrelationship of sports and politics.