The Olympic Games aim to help build a better, more peaceful world through sports. But in the year history of the modern Games, the quadrennial international competitions have been marred by geopolitical drama, resulting in cancellations, bans and boycotts. And other countries have been banned for a variety of reasons: Germany and Japan in because of their roles in WWII , South Africa during the era of apartheid and Russia in , due to a doping scandal although individual athletes were ultimately allowed to compete.
Six times, however, countries officially boycotted the Olympic Games, with as few as three countries refusing to compete in and as many as 65 nations staying home in Here's a list of the boycotted Olympics along with their causes.
Less than a month before the opening ceremony, the Soviet Union invaded Hungary to stop the Hungarian Revolution against the Communist regime; in protest, the Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland all refused to participate. A violent water polo match between the two teams left one Hungarian player bleeding from the head and led to a fight among spectators and athletes.
Hungary, up at the start of the brawl, was named the winner and the team eventually won the gold medal. The Soviets, for their part, went on to win the most medals for the first time. Of Note : In a show of peace, the Olympic athletes, for the first time, marched into the closing ceremony mixed together, rather than as separate nations—a tradition that continues today. The Details : China, North Korea and Indonesia chose to boycott the first Games held in an Asian country after the International Olympic Committee IOC declared it would disqualify athletes who competed in the Jakarta-held Games of the New Emerging Forces, created as an alternative multinational amateur competition.
The boycotting countries sent many of their top athletes to the Jakarta games. As the Soviets won medal after medal in Moscow, U. The boycott came just months after the U. Carter recruited boxing legend Muhammad Ali to criss-cross Africa with an appeal to countries to join the boycott.
Of the five nations Ali visited, three competed in Moscow anyway. The U. Many European countries fudged the issue, sending teams who took part under the Olympic flag. The Soviet war in Afghanistan rumbled on through the Olympics.
Some Afghan athletes had defected to Pakistan instead. It was a showcase of ideology as much as sporting achievement. The Soviets and their allies held up sporting successes as a validation of their political systems. Believe me. And — be happy. Our lives continue … [NB from the Editor — thanks to Sergii for this most-welcome comment. Parts of the comment have been edited for comprehension, the author informed].
Thank you, Sergii. Everyone suffered because of the boycott — even the athletes who competed. All my best to you. Great article! Thank you! As a South African athlete, whose prime was between to , I can commiserate. South Africa was banned from the Olympics due to apartheid from to Also, another great US athlete that comes to mind who suffered by not being able to swim in , but who won in , in WR time, is Steve Lundquist.
The only positive was that it allowed some UK athletes to gain medals. Phelps might be the greatest Olympic athlete, but Caulkins was the greatest swimmer.
Remember vividly how bitter Glen Mills was for not getting to go to Moscow. Probably would have won gold in the breast. One name which is hardly ever mentioned is Kim Linehan. Along with Tracy, T. She held on for , but was easy her peak and only placed 4th in the free in Los Angeles. Her best times would have won double gold in Moscow and gold and silver in Los Angeles. Left Sidebar. Brian Goodell. Photo Courtesy: Tim Morse. Rowdy Gaines. A very enjoyable article, Mr.
Matt Gribble. Missed out on at least 2 medals. Scott Mershon. Yes indeed. Matt was humble and one of a kind. Tracey Holmes. Fabulous article, John. You are a gifted writer and commentator.
John Lohn - Associate Editor-in-Chief. Thank you Tracey. That means a lot from you. All the best. David Marsh. Rick Theobald. Sergii fesenko. My greetings to all my American acquaintances and friends. Mark J. Breaking News. Which Countries Boycotted The Olympics? Multiple nations and athletes threatening to boycott the Olympics if it was held as scheduled. Let's take a look at why were the Olympics boycotted.
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