Zaire year 1984 stamps – Olympic Games Los Angeles set MNH

Zaire year 1984 stamps – Olympic Games Los Angeles set MNH

The 1984 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIII Olympiad, were held in Los Angeles, California, United States. It was the second time that Los Angeles had hosted the Summer Olympics, with the first being in 1932.

The 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles were notable for several reasons:

1. Boycotts: The Soviet Union and several other Eastern Bloc countries boycotted the Games in retaliation for the United States-led boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics. This led to reduced participation from some countries, but the Games still featured athletes from a record 140 National Olympic Committees.
2. Commercialization: The 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles were the first to be heavily commercialized, with significant corporate sponsorship and marketing deals. This helped finance the Games and set a precedent for future Olympics.
3. Surplus: Unlike many other host cities, Los Angeles managed to turn a profit from hosting the Olympics, thanks in part to its use of existing venues and infrastructure, as well as the lucrative sponsorship deals.
4. Success of US Athletes: American athletes performed exceptionally well at the 1984 Olympics, winning a total of 83 gold medals and 174 medals overall, topping the medal table by a wide margin.
5. Cultural Impact: The 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles left a lasting cultural impact, with memorable moments such as Carl Lewis winning four gold medals in track and field, Mary Lou Retton’s perfect 10 in gymnastics, and the debut of women’s marathon as an Olympic event.