U.S. Boycotts Moscow Olympics


  • This involved the United States and many other countries
  • It took place in Moscow during 1986
  • There was a meeting held at the end of April discussing if they should have the Olympics or not
  • On January 26th, 1980, the U.S Olympic Committee approved a resolution asking to cancel or move the coming Olympic games
  • President Carter said the if the Soviets didn't disengage from
    Afghanistan by February 20th, the the U.S would not be participating in the Moscow Olympics
  • Many potential Olympic athletes criticized the committee's and Carter's opinion 
  • The athletes believed that this sports competition shouldn't be used for their political statements
  • The Soviets ignored Carter's statement and the games were boycotted
  • This was the first time in history that the United States refused to participate
  • U.S. was joined in the boycott by other countries
  • France and Austria supported the boycott but still let their athletes compete