The Olympics 1980

Available for over a year

Sue MacGregor hears from five of Britain’s team members from the 1980 Moscow Olympics about the crisis which saw them on the brink of pulling out of the games as a result of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Despite appeals from the Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and extreme pressure being put on them, the team competed (without the equestrian and hockey competitors) and brought back their biggest ever medals haul. In the studio are: Duncan Goodhew, who won a gold and silver medal, recalls being thrust into the media spotlight as captain of the British Swimming team, and the distress he felt at being snubbed by his stepfather who believed he was letting down his Government in attending the games. Joslyn Hoyte-Smith, part of the 4x400 metre relay team remembers being warned about attending the games by her DHSS employers, and ignored on her return with a bronze medal. Dick Palmer, remembers his feelings as he carried the flag alone (as the sole representative of the team) at the opening ceremony. Colin Moynihan, rowing cox medal winner talks about how he managed to turn around the staid view of the Rowing governing bodies to allow his team to compete. Frank Dick, Athletics coach recalls some of the threats which team members received and the feelings within the Olympic village of being protected from ordinary Muscovites. Produced by: Christina Captieux and David Prest Series Producer: David Prest The Reunion is a Whistledown Production for BBC Radio 4