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In the United States, which he visited in the 1970s with the national teams of the USSR on different types of sports to our future Games were notorious skepticism, like well, well, let’s try and we’ll see. A couple of weeks stay at the Olympic training center USA in Colorado springs in the summer of 1979, I heard a lot of unpleasant, sometimes offensive to our address in Moscow. To build anything in no time, will come to you with your food – and feed the athletes have nothing on the opening ceremony the closing ceremony will be only the heads of delegations doctors and massage therapists: our athletes have nothing to stare at your red propaganda. The most strongly progressive athletes from the national teams of the United States seriously asking if they will take to the streets of Moscow: the house warned them that dangerous, could attack the States hating crowd.

Sincerely believe that will not be included in the December 1979 limited contingent of Soviet troops in Afghanistan, the United States would have invented have invented some other excuse not to go to Moscow. And then a reason may be the sport to do with. And began a fierce boycott.

In the first place to marvel at the courage of the then IOC President Killanin, Michael. Smoking a cigar and whiskey pomahivaya, he cited his conversation with U.S. President Carter. The one announcing the boycott of the Games and bringing all countries not to go to Moscow, I was surprised by the lack of reaction of the IOC to their appeals. Expressed by the Irish Lord full confidence in the support and was shocked by the response Killanin: “Mr. President, the Olympics will be held in Moscow, even if it is only one member of the IOC”. Asked who’s it going to be, and the more questions I asked, having heard from an elderly companion: “It’s me”.

Risk whether Killanin, boldly taking such dialogues? Not as bad as it may seem. He was sure of the support of IOC members. But honestly, not as unanimous. His proposal is not to ignore the offer of one of the two most powerful world powers, the boycott was supported by all members of the IOC.

this was one of the main triumphs of the Moscow Games in 1980. Sports defeated the policy. Showed that that it is not necessary to intervene in the noble and bright deeds, it is not concerning. In those years, the Olympic unity was strong as never before. Perhaps because of this, sport, the Olympic movement has attracted in those years more attention and commanded respect, now, alas, gradually lose. After the departure of Killanin’s successor, the longtime IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch, politics increasingly, more rough, and sometimes arrogant, hooligan interfered in the activities, sometimes not getting a proper rebuff.

a boycott or not a boycott, but the Games of the XXII summer Olympics was attended by 80 countries. Some, including me, numbered 82. The confusion is understandable. Several delegations from meat, then called a capitalist, did not come under the flags of their countries, and under the banner of the five Olympic rings. That didn’t change the fact. And at the end of Games other brave men from Britain, Australia, Italy… even for the award came with little national flags, singing of vengeance not proclaimed them “on the Charter” the Olympic anthem, and its own.

I do Not remember that such a full Olympic triumph, as we would a city – the organizer of Competitions. Victory sports is entwined with victories of common sense. On the dirty hand dealt a hard blow. Guess this is in America, allowing Jimmy Carter to sit in the White house for just one term.

And for the inhabitants of the USSR Olympics was akin to what was done by Peter I. He opened a window to Europe. The Olympic games have opened us a window into the wide world. Say, it was during the Moscow world festival of youth and students in July 1957, opened the little window in the long-awaited thaw. Sorry, don’t know, I don’t remember – was still small.

But the crowd our people first saw in 1980, so many guests there, were not disappointed with the communication. Breath of freedom. Let alone breath, but the scent does not evaporate, remember. That is from July of 1980 we ceased to be the power behind the curtain, woven from barbed piece of iron. Opened up and showed that we are the same as all. And perhaps even friendlier, nicer.

the High level of the Games has become a surprise not only for peace but for the Soviet leadership. One day, but not at the end of 1979 and not in 1980, the supporters of the old Soviet party school was trying to persuade General Secretary Brezhnev to – until it is too late – “the cancellation of the event”. But zakolbasilo was Leonid Brezhnev was persuaded to keep his previous line. No wonder the Chairman of the organising Committee was appointed to his old friend and Deputy of the Council of Ministers, Ignatiy Trofimovich Novikov. Often he is credited as a sort of ornamental head. But was not the Builder Novikov wedding General on this occasion. He dominated the Olympic, and when used, they drove into a dead end, Novikov skillfully and silently, invisible to prying eyes to resolve.

40 years have passed with the Olympic pores. We have a very different country with a different political system, others, not so naive, as then, views. Some who are younger, look at the Games-80 with a grin – had, well, okay. Young about the Olympics in General have not heard, because not much is done to perpetuate. And perhaps that is the Olympic games not only forced the world to look at us in new ways, but also helped us to revise our attitude towards the world. To rethink the way of development of the country, to open up, to understand that we have a lot – and very important – on forces.