1980 Moscow Olympics

Sue MacGregor talks to members of the 1980 British Olympic team who defied their Government to attend the Moscow games. In 1979, the British team was in training for the following year’s Olympic Games when Russia invaded Afghanistan. President Carter, backed by Margaret Thatcher, urged athletes to boycott the event, and the worlds of politics and sport seemed caught in a headlock. This fascinating programme sees Sue MacGregor reuniting members of the British Olympic team as they recall that controversial year. Swimmer Duncan Goodhew, athlete Joslyn Hoyte-Smith, and rowing cox Colin Moynihan faced their own personal dilemmas about competing for their country in the face of political opposition. Team leader Dick Palmer carried the flag alone into the Olympic stadium, and as the hate mail stacked up, coach Frank Dick did his best to shield the athletes from the pressures. Together, they reminisce about the difficult decisions they made, the trials of participating without Government support, and ultimately the triumph of a record-breaking British medals haul.