REBORN IN THE U.S.A.
The Winter Olympics make their way back to the United States as well as to Lake Placid, which had hosted the Games 48 years previously. More than 1,100 athletes representing 37 nations participate in the 1980 Winter Games.
UPTIGHT IN UPSTATE NEW YORK
The Lake Placid Olympics are deemed an organizational disaster. Poorly planned transportation leaves spectators forced to wait for hours in freezing weather, while many athletes complain about lousy accommodations at the Olympic village, where some of the dorms would later be turned into prisons. Meanwhile, the supply of and demand for event tickets never merged. Many unsold tickets were left available at the venues, with would-be buyers unable to purchase them because only those who already had a ticket could enter the venue and accompanying ticket-sales areas.
HISTORIC HIGH-FIVE
American speedskater Eric Heiden wins an unprecedented five gold medals by sweeping all five of the menWIDTH="13" HEIGHT="9" VALIGN="MIDDLE">NAME GAMES
While individuals and squads have withdrawn in protest before, the Taiwan Chinese become the first nation to boycott the Winter Games. They take exception to the IOC Olympic involvement g the game-winning goal midway in the third and final period is team captain Mike Eruzione. And goalkeeper Jim Craig 4-2 victory for the championship. As captain of the team, Eruzione accepts the gold in the medal ceremony, but after the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner," he breaks tradition by inviting his entire team to join him on the podium in celebrating before an enthusiastic audience.
SIMILAR TO SONJA
The Soviet Union skating pair and married duo of Irina Rodnina and Alexander Zaitsev claim their second consecutive gold in pairs figure skating, earning unanimous top rankings from the nine judges for the second straight time as well. Rodnina, who had taken off the year before to give birth, had also won a pairs title in 1972 with Aleksei Ulanov, and she equals Sonja Henield championships and three Olympic golds.
RARE MEDALS
Sweden WORRIES
Artificial snow is used for the first time in Olympic competition, as snow-making equipment makes its debut.
PHOTO FINISH UNFORTUNATE FOR FINN
Sweden a second, it is little consolation to Mieto, who had missed a bronze medal in 1972 by .06 of a second.
