Another Games affected by non-sporting issues, namely the African boycott to protest against the presence of New Zealand athletes following the All Blacks tour of apartheid South Africa.

Romanian 14-year-old gymnast Nadia Comaneci caused a sensation on the uneven bars when she was awarded the first-ever perfect score of 10.0. She eventually earned seven 10.0s.

British swimmer David Wilkie's breaststroke brought him gold in 200m and silver in the 100m.

Japan's Shun Fujimoto broke his leg while completing his floor exercises routine but kept the injury secret as they were in close competition with the Soviet Union - only for him to dismount the rings, dislocate his knee and have to withdraw.

The Japanese women's volleyball team won all their matches in straight sets, and in only one of 15 games did an opponent score double figures.

Hungary's Miklos Nemeth won the javelin throw to become the first son of an athletics gold medallist to win a gold of his own. His father, Imre, had won the hammer in 1948.

British gold medals: 3