The day the Olympic Movement started back up: 8 May 1984

TSX HEADLINES – for May 9, 2018: It didn’t seem like it at the time, but the momentous events of the 8th of May, 1984 marked the turn of the Olympic Movement from tragedy to triumph.

The 1984 torch relay, beset by controversy, started in a drizzle at United Nations Plaza in New York and began an 82-day run across the country. Then the rain turned to thunder and lightning when an evening Soviet news broadcast announced that the USSR would not attend the 1984 Games in Los Angeles.

Beginning of the end for the L.A. Games?

Instead, it was the end of the beginning, as the organizing committee, led by Peter Ueberroth and Harry Usher, rallied and with help from many quarters, pulled in a record 140 countries to compete in Los Angeles and changed the trajectory of the Olympic Movement, toward more than 30 years of nearly uninterrupted success.

How did it happen? All the details are in our Lane One commentary, plus a look ahead to major events coming up this weekend:

(1) THE TICKER: Four new world leaders in track & field, plus a promise of $11 billion in profits for FIFA from the 2026 World Cup … if the Canadian-Mexican-U.S. bid is selected!

(2) THE BIG PICTURE: Even more good news for Los Angeles … more facilities for the 2028 Games without a penny of investment from the organizing committee!

(3) SHOOTING: Six Rio medal winners, including American Ginny Thrasher, in the ISSF World Cup at Ft. Benning starting Wednesday.

This issue includes ON DECK previews of Badminton ~ Cycling ~ Fencing ~ Gymnastics ~ Rugby ~ Shooting ~ Swimming; SCOREBOARD reports on Athletics ~ Cycling ~ Modern Pentathlon ~ Swimming, plus AGENDA, our exclusive calendar of upcoming international events!