Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Official website of the State –
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On October 23, 1974, in the Vienna meeting hall of the International Olympic Committee, the capital of the USSR was chosen to host the XXII 1980 Summer Olympic Games. This decision was more than just a sporting triumph—it transformed the main Soviet city into a symbol of openness and faith in world peace.
By that time, the Soviet Union was already a recognized sporting power: since 1952, Soviet athletes had consistently ranked among the top three in the medal standings. But hosting the Olympics was something else entirely; it was a challenge to infrastructure, diplomacy, urban planning, and even mentality. And Moscow accepted it.
Triumph of Friendship
Competition was fierce: in addition to Moscow, Los Angeles, Athens, and Paris vied for the right to host the Games. The Soviet delegation, led by Sergei Pavlov, Chairman of the State Sports Committee, convincingly demonstrated the country's readiness not just to organize competitions, but to create a new era in Olympic history. Emphasis was placed on scale, safety, technical equipment, and, especially important during the Cold War era, the idea of a peace Olympics.
Interestingly, the decision was made in a single round of final voting between the opposing finalists, Los Angeles and Moscow: the votes were split 39 to 20. This wasn't just a winning score—it was a signal: people wanted to see the USSR not only as a superpower, but also as a hospitable host.
Back to the Future
Today, looking back on the 1980 Olympics through the prism of time, it's unlikely anyone will remember how revolutionary they were for their era. And yet, it was then that for the first time:
To escort the Olympic flame from Greece, a special RAF-2907 minibus was built with larger radiators and additional electric fans to cool the engine, preventing overheating while traveling at runner's speed. A new, concert-style format for the spectacular opening and closing ceremonies was introduced, setting the standard for future Games. Moscow received modern sports, residential, and infrastructure facilities, many of which are still operational—from the Olympic Sports Complex and thousands of square meters of housing in the Olympic Village to the Cosmos Hotel and Terminal F at Sheremetyevo Airport. For the first time in history, the official Olympic mascot, the charming little bear Misha, learned to fly in hot air balloons and acquired his own biography and universe—he has appeared in cartoons, and even an entire anime series was created in Japan.
The turning point
Of course, the 1980 Games themselves were somewhat marred by boycotts and political provocations. It was a time when some countries had pointedly ignored the previous and subsequent Olympics. But even these troubles couldn't overshadow the USSR's success: on October 23, 1974, the world came to believe in Moscow as a city capable of uniting countries and continents through sport. And for the Soviet Union, this was the moment when the state emerged for the first time not as an "Iron Curtain" empire, but as an open, modern, and ambitious organizer of a global event.
Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: October 23, 2025.
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