What kept American athletes from attending the 1980 summer Olympics?

Answer 1

Actually, it wasn't just American athletes who decided not to participate. However, the boycott idea did begin with the US. In a controversial decision, intended to protest the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan, President Jimmy Carter decided that the US would refuse to take part in the Moscow Olympic games. He also persuaded 65 other countries to boycott the summer Olympics. The hope was that this would shame the Soviets and encourage their government to withdraw from Afghanistan and end the war there. Unfortunately, that did not happen; the war continued, and many US athletes bitterly resented not being able to compete in the summer games. Others understood the principle involved, but still felt being denied a chance to compete was unfair.