The 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles marked the second time the city hosted this global event, last having done so in 1932. However, these Games were far from controversy-free, facing issues that ranged from political boycotts to dramatic incidents on the field.
Soviet Boycott
A major point of contention was the Soviet-led boycott. This was a response to the U.S.-led boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics, triggered by the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The Soviet Union and 14 allied nations withdrew, citing safety concerns and alleged anti-U.S. sentiment as their reasons. However, many viewed this as payback for the earlier U.S. boycott, which significantly dampened the competition, especially as top Eastern Bloc athletes were missing.
The Zola Budd Incident
One of the Games’ most unforgettable moments involved Zola Budd, a South African runner representing Great Britain. During the women’s 3000 meters, Budd collided with American Mary Decker, leading to Decker’s fall and injury. The International Association of Athletics Federations cleared Budd of any wrongdoing, but the incident sparked a media storm and raised questions about her eligibility, having recently obtained British citizenship amid the Apartheid-related sports bans.
Kevin Barry vs. Evander Holyfield
Boxing also saw its share of drama, particularly the match between New Zealand’s Kevin Barry and American Evander Holyfield. Holyfield was controversially disqualified during the bout for hitting Barry after the referee called for a break. This left many shocked, as Holyfield was leading and expected to win. Consequently, Barry moved on to the finals and took home a silver medal while Holyfield received a bronze, leading to backlash against the refereeing decisions, particularly from U.S. commentators and audiences.
Iran Boycott
Iran also made headlines by boycotting the 1984 Games, citing U.S. involvement in Middle Eastern affairs amid the intensified tensions following the 1979 Iranian Revolution and ensuing hostage crisis. Libya joined the boycott after Libyan journalists were denied entry to the U.S., reportedly due to concerns related to terrorism.
U.S. Gymnastics Gold
An additional controversy revolved around the success of the U.S. gymnastics team, particularly Mary Lou Retton, who made history as the first American woman to win the all-around gold medal. However, the lack of competitors from boycotting nations led some to question the validity of her victory.
