Another boycott, led by the USA against the invasion of
Afghanistan, reduced the number of participating nations to 80.
US President Jimmy Carter threatened to revoke the passport of any American
athlete who tried to travel to the USSR, although other governments - including
Britain and Australia - supported the boycott but allowed athletes to decide for
themselves.
In a dramatic confrontation between British runners Steve Ovett and Sebastian
Coe in the 800m and 1,500m, the former claimed gold and bronze respectively
while the latter won silver and gold.
Daley Thompson won his first decathlon gold medal while Scottish sprinter Alan
Wells raced to gold in the 100m and Duncan Goodhew claimed gold in the 100m
breaststroke.
Aleksandr Dityatin earned medals in every men's gymnastics event to become the
only athlete ever to win eight medals in one Olympics.
Gerd Wessig became the first male high jumper to break the world record at the
Olympics while swimmer Vladimir Salnikov broke the 15-minute barrier for the
1,500m.
British gold medals: 5
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