1980 U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team Tribute

In 1980, the United States boycotted the Olympic Games in Moscow to protest the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan. Although they never had a chance to compete on the Olympic stage, they are all Olympians.

[TheJordy]

this is kinda sad that theres people wanted to go so bad but had to wait.

[NYCBlonde]

Beautiful tribute, thanks! So nice to see baby Kathy Johnson and Julianne McNamara and Bart Connor, and wonderful that they got their chance four years later.

[jpete]

We should have never boycotted the Olympics and Carter went way outside his scope of power to call for the boycott. The only ones it hurt was the Olympic ath

[TheKendog]

The U.S gymnastics team and the rest of the U.S Olympics team should of got an automatic spot at the next Olympics.

[shab]

This video is very very inspiring, these people got their whole world taken away from them and didnt give up but understand why the United States were not going to compete in Russia! these people never gave up there dream, and it makes me want to strive for my goals even more. i feel so bad for these people that they couldnt compete, but it amazes me how they kept going and were understanding!!! i have total respect for them and for the United States:)

[Isuyoas]

The faces on those gymnasts on the podium at the end says it all. It was a huge mistake to boycott those Olympics, and goes against the spirit of the original ancient games. The politicians crushed the hopes and dreams of those young athletes who worked so hard for so long to get to that point. Who knows how they would've done in Moscow, but it sure would've been nice for them to have gotten the chance to find out.

[sallierh]

Such a lovely tribute. And so nice to see them make an appearance at Visa this year!

[Hugseyhughes]

up for the people of Afghanistan (even though they were only doing it for personal gain) was the right thing to do for a country that sees it self as the moral leader in global politics.

[JR]

Does anyone know what the backing song is?

[EverythingElse]

i would say that the americans should have just gone to moscow and kicked butt to stick it to the USSR but then i remembered that it was the 80s...there was no beating eastern europe :) i feel so bad for those gymnasts who trained there whole lives to not even have a whisper of a chance to go to the olympics

[Elemarth]

It's so sad. They just hurt American athletes, not the USSR.

[kjf]

Lo and behold into Afghanistan goes the invasion force of GB and the USA.. How quickly we all forget. :( :(

[inikunari]

Complete mistake and injustice for these athletes.

[Mrpastry]

This was stupid. Why would the USSR care? Out of all ways to protest the invasion, boycotting an international event meant to promote peace and sportsmanship is not the best way to do so. It was stupid for the USSR to boycott the 1984 Olympics too, but I can't blame them for doing so, not after the childish way Carter acted.

[MightyRoos]

I thought USA ideals were based on freedom and democracy? Well wouldn't that mean I got to choose whether or not I participated at the Olympics? I praise all those athletes that attended. They lived their dream and didn't give into political reasonings. For those who didn't attend by own choice, I also praise for sticking to your beliefs.

[faeryquene]

Now some busy body U.S. senator is hoping to make the U.S. boycott the Sochi Olympics because of Edward Snowden! I was so angry as a kid when our gymnasts couldn't go to Moscow, and especially that we only got piecemeal coverage of the Olympic gymnastic competition above all that of Nadia Comaneci. I didn't vote for Jimmy Carter in his second run for President because of the boycott I was so mad. If they do this again I may just up and march on Washington! I'm older now but not as powerless!

[TheCopper]

@suwanee4712 I agree with everything you have said. The Soviets would have some way cheated, even if an
American would have done great in say Gymnastics for our Women or Men. It is sad, that with all the countries
participating in the boycot, why didn't the IOC say hey it is time to move the Olympics to another country. Yes,
it is sad and I still wonder how well our Swimmers, Track and Field runners/sprinters, and Gymnastics team
would have done. That is one thing we will never know.

[CWinther]

Politics and sports should not mix. Carter, you were the worst president we've ever had. You crushed te dreams of the althetes who wanted to compete for this country in Moscow. Shame on you.

[katiieeeex]

@rachellovessyouu One Republic - Marching On

[Horselover]

@rachellovessyouu were marching on by one republic