Chapter 8 Chapter 7 Diplomacy and Sports

·Ambassador to the Soviet Union ・Clash of two worlds · Vice President of Olympic Committee ·Where to go ·Moscow Olympic Games One day at the end of 1976, a listener to Barcelona Radio's "Live" program picked up the phone and asked the radio guest a question: "Mr. Samaranch, would you like to be the Speaker of the Catalan Parliament or the President of the Catalan Community?" "I want to be the president of the International Olympic Committee." Samaranch replied immediately. This is not Samaranch's evasive remarks, but his honest words.The political situation at that time was very delicate. Under the pressure of the national movement, the Spanish parliament had to compromise with the province of Catalunya, preparing to dissolve the Barcelona parliament and establish a province of Catalunia that could better reflect the will of the Catalan nation. parliament.At this time, Samaranch, who is the speaker of Barcelona, ​​is leading a plan of the Catalan Solidarity Party.This plan, modeled on that of Cambo and Pratt de la Riva, was distinct from the Autonomy Act of 1932 and aimed at creating a special regime for Catalonia.For this plan, he has invested a lot of manpower and material resources.

However, Samaranch knew very well that this plan encountered great resistance.Under the circumstances at the time, even if this plan could be realized, it would be nothing more than a legitimate democratic cloak for a few old friends of the former ruler.Moreover, the voices of the opposition have become louder and louder these days, demanding that Tradellas, who is in exile, return to his country to regain power, which means that the seat of the Speaker of Catalonia is out of reach for him . On the contrary, the position of IOC president not only has greater influence, but also avoids political partisan disputes and can better utilize his talents.In Samaranch's view, this is the most ideal position, better than the highest political office in Spain.More importantly, Samaranch has been in the International Olympic Committee for 10 years. During these 10 years, Samaranch was first a general member of the Protocol Department of the International Olympic Committee. The job was proposed to be the head of the protocol and information department.This year, his ability to represent the International Olympic Committee during the Mexico City Olympic Games made him an indispensable figure for the International Olympic Committee. In 1970, Samaranch was elected as an executive member of the International Olympic Committee and entered the core group of the International Olympic Committee. Four years later, in 1974, Samaranch was elected by the executive committee as the vice president of the International Olympic Committee and became a pivotal figure in the International Olympic Committee.Samaranch was promoted from an ordinary member to vice-chairman in just 10 years. It is conceivable how hard he has put in for this.But at the same time, he has also received affirmation and corresponding returns from all walks of life. His position in the International Olympic Committee is becoming more and more stable, and Chairman Kiranin is also paying more and more attention to him.Samaranch believes that with his own ability and reputation, the heavy responsibility of IOC president will fall on his shoulders sooner or later.

Of course, in the International Olympic Committee, Samaranch is not all smooth sailing, he has also experienced twists and turns.And the Olympic movement is also at a low ebb.However, he never gave in to anything.And the more difficult it is, the more it can show a person's strength, wisdom and talent.Samaranch already knows the work of the International Olympic Committee like the back of his hand, and is fully capable of navigating this ship through the waves.Besides, he already has his own plan in mind, he wants to be the captain, grasp the course, and command the ship to speed up. He seems to feel that his life will be accompanied by sports.He loves sports. He not only takes part in sports activities, but also regards sports as a means to gradually realize his ideals.

Samaranch's term as speaker of the Barcelona parliament is about to expire, and the Catalan Solidarity Party is struggling.There are rumors that Samaranch will be sent as ambassador abroad. Samaranch also has this intention.In another 3 years, the president of the International Olympic Committee will be re-elected.He needs to calm down and do some preparatory work.This is not for personal reputation, he just feels that the heavy responsibility of the International Olympic Committee will fall on his shoulders. Four months after Radio Barcelona announced he was going to be IOC president, Samaranch also revealed that he was going to be an ambassador. On May 10, 1977, the Catalan Solidarity Party announced its dissolution.Samaranch proposed to serve as ambassador to Vienna.Vienna, the hometown of music, is like a paradise without unnecessary political disputes.And his confidant, the Marquis of Castel Floret, has been working there since he left the Barcelona Parliament.The most important thing is that Vienna is not far from Lausanne, Switzerland, where the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee is located, so there are many conveniences for working.

However, the Spanish government has its own considerations.Although Samaranch has never engaged in professional diplomatic activities, his outstanding diplomatic skills have long been noticed by the Spanish cabinet.At that time, Spain and the Soviet Union had just established diplomatic relations. Out of more comprehensive considerations, the cabinet decided to appoint Samaranch as the first ambassador to the Soviet Union after the restoration of relations between Sisu and Samaranch in the month when Samaranch proposed to take office in Vienna. Spain first established diplomatic relations with the socialist Soviet Union in 1933. In July 1936, the Spanish fascist soldiers launched a military rebellion, and Franco took the opportunity to seize the leadership of the fascists. In April 1939, the bloody civil war that lasted for three years ended, and Spain began the era of Franco's rule.A few months after the Civil War ended, World War II broke out.Although Spain declared itself a neutral country as early as September 1939, domestic right-wingers demanded to join the war, and Franco finally sent a "Blue Legion" to participate in the attack on the Soviet Union.Since then, Sisu has cut off all communication, and the relationship between the two countries has completely broken down.

In November 1975, Franco died, and on November 22, Juan Carlos ascended the throne in Madrid and became the new king of Spain.Carlos is determined to implement political and democratic reforms at home on the one hand, and strengthen relations with European and American countries on the other hand, so as to get rid of Spain's international isolation.After nearly two years of tentative trade and cultural exchanges between the two countries, Spain and the Soviet Union officially resumed diplomatic relations in early 1977. The news of the appointment of Samaranch as the ambassador to the Soviet Union was notified to Samaranch by the governor of Barcelona, ​​Rodolfo Martin Villa.One day, Villa invited Samaranch and his wife Maria to dinner in Madrid.

"Congratulations, you are already an ambassador," Villa said straight to the point. Samaranch thought he was the ambassador to Austria, so he said nothing more, just thanked him briefly, and then continued to talk about the weather, travel and so on. After a while, Villa couldn't help asking: "But don't you want to know which country has sent you as ambassador?" "...Of course I want to know." Samaranch was still somewhat disapproving. "Are you interested in the Soviet Union?" Samaranch couldn't help but startled: "Soviet Union, you mean? Russia? ... Of course, of course I'm interested."

Although prior to this, Samaranch had heard that the cabinet appointed him to serve in the Soviet Union, but he did not expect it to be so.From the perspective of the IOC, the Soviet Union was a more attractive country.Because the Soviet Union was preparing for the 22nd Olympic Games in 1980, and Samaranch was also the vice president of the International Olympic Committee, the Soviet Union must treat him differently.At the same time, the role of the Soviet Union was also crucial in the re-election of the chairman of the International Olympic Committee in 1980.If the work of the Soviet Union is done well, the presidency of the International Olympic Committee will be more assured.

There was disagreement within the Spanish cabinet regarding the appointment of Samaranch as ambassador to the Soviet Union.Sending Samaranch as ambassador to Spain, newly liberated from Franco's dictatorship?A diplomatic novice serving in such a delicate country?When Prime Minister Suarez had just announced the appointment to the cabinet, Foreign Minister Marcelino Oreja expressed his own doubts and the doubts of the professional diplomat club. King Juan Carlos I clearly supported Prime Minister Suarez's decision.The reason is that Samaranch has a strong sense of responsibility as a master and is very serious about any work; he understands the Soviet Union and is able to carry out diplomatic work in the Soviet Union with ease; the most important thing is that King Carlos has recognized the importance of the International Olympic Committee to Spain Sending Samaranch to work in the Soviet Union is very beneficial to both Spain and Samaranch, especially for Samaranch running for the chairman of the International Olympic Committee.

Facts have proved that this decision is correct.Although Samaranch lives in the West, he has a good understanding of the mechanism of the Soviet regime, the Soviet way of life, customs and intricate relationships.In this way, in a country with absolute order, he can move around as freely as in his own home.At that time, the economic relationship between Spain and the Soviet Union had been straightened out, while the political relationship had just started, delicate but without any crisis. On June 10, 1977, Samaranch was officially appointed as ambassador to the Soviet Union.The appointment marks the end of his tenure as Barcelona speaker.With the resignation of the Speaker, the Barcelona Parliament was dissolved and replaced by the Catalan Provincial Assembly.At the last plenary session of the Barcelona Parliament on June 30, Samaranch announced that the Ministry of Finance had approved the renaming of the Barcelona Provincial Savings Bank as the Catalan Savings Bank.He also thanked the former Central Library, which has been renamed the Library of Catalunya, for its hard work in preserving a wealth of material on sports and the Spanish Civil War.

During the speech, Samaranch's voice choked.This was probably the last time in his life that he broke down in tears because of emotion.He recalled that in the past 4 years, Spain has undergone the most significant changes since 1936, and the parliament he leads has struggled to adapt to the rhythm of this political change.He is happy that the country is now democratic again with Franco's death. Speaking of having presided over all the regular and special sessions during his 1,443 days as speaker, Samaranch's voice cracked hoarse and his face was stained with tears, and he finally declared: "Closed...see you again" Two days ago, Samaranch officially received the newly elected members of the Catalan Parliament in the Barcelona Parliament Chamber.Although he was in a very restless mood, he still looked natural.With his hands hanging down and his legs side by side, he greeted everyone with a smile. Tratrias, the speaker of the Catalan parliament, later wrote in his memoirs: "President Samaranch received members of the Catalan Provincial Assembly. He did it with great dignity. Knowing that he traded uncertainty for certainty, he accepted the post of Spain's first ambassador to the USSR. He was fulfilling his highest wishes. - elected President of the IOC - paving the way." After a few more weeks, it was not until noon on July 17 that Samaranch walked out of the former Barcelona and now the Catalunian Parliament Hall. On this day 4 years ago, also at noon, he walked into this hall with a bright vision for his future. When Samaranch walked out of the hall, the bell in the hall rang the melody of "Farewell Song".Samaranch published an "Open Letter to the People of Barcelona" in Spanish and Catalunian.All Spanish newspapers published the open letter.In the letter, he expressed his honor to have achieved some achievements with all members of Congress, and at the same time took full responsibility for some expected goals that were not realized.In his new position, he will always be at the beck and call of the citizens of Barcelona. "This is the end of my term," Samaranch declared in the "Open Letter". "The Barcelona Parliament will also say goodbye to the times. We hope that the Catalan Parliament can assume the full functions of the Barcelona Parliament. If this cannot be done, It should at least assume the functions entrusted to it by the state." The next day, he boarded a flight to Moscow. Sitting on the comfortable and spacious seat in the first-class cabin, Samaranch was still restless.It has been more than 20 years since he joined politics at the age of 32, during which only he can taste the ups and downs.Now he wants to bid farewell to Barcelona and go to a country that he doesn't know much about to take up an important position that he has never set foot in. In his heart, he has nostalgia for Barcelona and anxiety about the new position. The Soviets quickly got to know the new Spanish ambassador.As soon as Samaranch entered the embassy in Sudan, he immediately started intense and productive work.Soon the various departments of the embassy were running at high speed, and the radio waves between Madrid and Moscow were frequent.The work situation for the Soviet Union gradually opened up, and the Soviets saw a capable Spanish ambassador. October 12th is Spain's National Day.As usual, Samaranch held a reception at the embassy, ​​and then came to the TV station to deliver a short courtesy speech to the Soviet people via TV.Unlike other ambassadors, Samaranch spoke in Russian.He spoke for three minutes without reading the manuscript.This move immediately impressed the Soviets and won their favor. In his speech, Samaranch particularly emphasized the sincerity of the Spanish government to improve relations with the Soviet Union, the "boss" of the socialist camp. "October 12th, the anniversary of the discovery of the New World by (Columbus), was designated by New Spain as a national holiday to symbolize the peoples - not only those who speak the same language and the same tradition - friendship, cooperation, peace and stability between the United States and Spain. Spain hopes that this friendship and cooperation with the American tradition will become the banner of friendship and cooperation between her and the peoples of other countries, including the people of the Soviet Union." As a diplomat, Samaranch is good at interpersonal mediation.He put aside differences of political opinion and took advantage of the opportunity to meet the Soviets whenever possible.He treats his compatriots in Spain equally and takes care of them as much as possible.The leaders of the Spanish Communist Party, Santiago Galileo and Dolores Ibaluli, went to the Soviet Union to attend the Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, and he gave appropriate courtesy; some ordinary tourists went to the embassy to seek help from him, and he also warmly received them.During his three years as ambassador, Samaranch won the support of Eastern European countries.The Soviets also affectionately called him "our Ivan Antonich". In a way, Samaranch is not only the Spanish ambassador, but also the Olympic ambassador.Many of his activities in Moscow were to seek the support of all parties in the Soviet Union for the election of the President of the International Olympic Committee.To this end, he traveled, sometimes alone, sometimes with his wife, to most of the Soviet-controlled countries of the Soviet Union. Samaranch and the Soviet leadership adopted an attitude of mutual tolerance, trying not to harm the interests of each other and their own country as much as possible.Spanish Foreign Minister Oreja visited the Soviet Union shortly after Samaranch took office.Originally, this was a manifestation of the further development of Xi-Soviet relations.But what made Oreja angry was that several bugs were found in the room where he lived in the Spanish embassy.Oreja had heard about what the KGB did for a long time, but he never expected that the bug was installed in the Spanish embassy in the Soviet Union and he was used as a spy.The furious Oreha wanted to question the Soviet authorities immediately.Samaranch dissuaded him, explaining that the best way to deal with the bug was to keep silent, since the bug had already lost its effect anyway.On the contrary, if this matter is publicized, it will not benefit the development of the relationship between the two countries.Oreha adopted Samaranch's opinion. You are not benevolent and I am not righteous.Soon the Spanish government expelled several officials from the Soviet embassy in Spain on the grounds of "engaging in activities incompatible with the status of diplomats".Unexpectedly, the Soviet Union did not take reciprocal retaliation as usual.This peaceful approach may be due to some diplomatic considerations, but it is more likely that the reason why the Soviet authorities took a sigh of relief was related to Samaranch's status as the vice chairman of the International Olympic Committee.The consequences of expelling Spanish diplomats at a time when the Soviet Union was about to host the Olympics and Samaranch was expected to assume the presidency of the International Olympic Committee could be serious. 1980 was a year to celebrate for Samaranch.Because he has dredged the relationship with the Soviet Union, at least when he ran for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee, representatives of the Soviet Union and its allies would vote for him.In addition, Samaranch was awarded by King Carlos I of Spain for his outstanding performance during his work in the Soviet Union, and was awarded the "Silver Medal of Diplomacy" by the Spanish royal family. 1980 was a fateful year for the Soviet Union. The Moscow Olympic Games were boycotted, and the original intention of the Soviet Union to improve its international image through the Olympic Games had the opposite result.The drastic change between the original intention and the outcome of hosting the Olympic Games was unexpected by the international community, the International Olympic Committee, and the Soviet Union itself. The first time the Soviet Union made an Olympic bid was at the 1970 IOC meeting in Amsterdam.But was not allowed. Four years later, they regrouped in Vienna.Interestingly, this bid is only a competition between the Soviet Union and the United States.Moscow represented the Soviet Union, and Los Angeles represented the United States. The Soviet Union stopped participating in the Olympic Games in 1912, and did not rejoin the Olympic family until a full 40 years later.Perhaps because of Brundage's departure, or because the United States sent troops to Cambodia to affect the image of the United States, the Soviet Union's bid to host the Olympic Games in 1974 received unexpected support from the International Olympic Committee, and almost all members voted for Moscow.Some people even suggested that President Nixon should come forward to persuade Los Angeles not to strongly bid for the Olympic Games and give up this opportunity to the Soviet Union.Of course, such a proposal is difficult to be accepted by the US Olympic Committee, the Los Angeles delegation and the International Olympic Committee. In addition, the IOC members expressed their joy that for the first time the Soviet Union opened its doors to everyone in the world.When Killanin, who followed Brundage as the chairman of the International Olympic Committee, visited the Soviet Union in August 1973, Soviet Prime Minister Kosygin reiterated to Killanin the assurance that the Soviet Olympic Committee had made to the International Olympic Committee, that is, to allow Entry to all NOCs and athletes recognized by the IOC, regardless of whether the USSR has diplomatic relations with the country.Therefore, the IOC's worries that representatives from Israel, South Korea and other countries would be prevented from entering the country suddenly disappeared. When Kiranin visited Moscow again in 1976, he received the same guarantee from Podgorny, chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. Of course, the Soviet leaders never expected that the invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979 would have such a big impact on the Moscow Olympics. After the Soviet troops entered Afghanistan, the United States immediately responded strongly.The U.S. ambassador to the Soviet Union also immediately proposed to Washington to impose a food embargo on the Soviet Union, suspend industrial contracts, and abolish trade agreements.However, although these actions can hit the economic strength of the Soviet Union, they will also damage the economic interests of the United States to varying degrees. In the first two weeks of January 1980, President Carter's proposed boycott of the Moscow Olympics began. On January 28, the U.S. ambassador to Ireland, John Moore, called Killanen in Dublin from Washington to ask if he would like to meet with U.S. presidential adviser Lloyd Cutler.Moore made it clear on the phone that the meeting is related to the Olympic Games and the Afghan issue. On February 2, Killanin met Cutler in the study of his Dublin residence. Cutler first made a long speech on the danger of the Soviet Union sending troops to Afghanistan from political and geographical aspects, and discussed the possibility of the Soviet Union going south to the Persian Gulf to cut off the oil supply of the West.He was convinced that this was the strategic intention of the Soviet Union.He also said his trip brought with him a request from the President of the United States that the International Olympic Committee postpone or cancel the 22nd Summer Olympics in Moscow. Killanin is angry at the behavior of the US government to dictate to the IOC.He said that whatever his own attitude towards the Soviet Union's actions in Afghanistan, as IOC president he could not allow his political views to interfere with the IOC's commitment to athletes in Moscow and around the world. Killanin also stressed that it was important to host the Games, not where they were held.And once the decision to host is made, all international and national sports organizations, as well as thousands of individuals, are legally and morally obligated to do so. Cutler began to use his lawyer's eloquence, telling Killanin that in accordance with the spirit of the Olympic movement and the practice of the Olympic Games, the Olympic Games should be held under the condition of an international truce. Killanin felt that Cutler was showing off his knowledge of Olympic history in front of him, which was obviously a bit funny, so he retorted that the international truce mentioned by Cutler refers to the "sacred truce month" of the ancient Olympic Games.But that was during the Olympiads, when the games stopped the wars, not because of the wars that some people are demanding now.Only three games in the modern Olympic Movement have been canceled, all because of world wars.At that time, the main battlefield was in Europe, and most of the participants in the Olympic Games were from European warring countries. It was unimaginable to hold the Olympic Games under such circumstances. The two sides were at odds with each other, each held their own views, and the meeting broke up unhappy. Although Cutler left, Killanin realized that the prelude to a huge political struggle in the history of the Olympics had already begun.Subsequently, Killanin conveyed at the IOC meeting that the US government wanted to postpone or cancel the Olympic Games, and the participants showed silence.The silence contained the members' concerns about whether the Olympic Games could be held smoothly, and also expressed their silent protest against the US government's attitude. Killanen believes the IOC should make a public statement.However, he estimated that if a short resolution condemning the United States and supporting Moscow is simply issued, it may cause misunderstanding and it will be difficult to get the support of all committee members.So he discussed with several committee members and formulated a strategy to deal with the boycott. At the subsequent meeting of the International Olympic Committee's full committee, Killanin asked all members to participate in the debate to discuss how to deal with the attitude of the US government.At the meeting, most members expressed their opposition to the boycott of the Moscow Olympics, while a few members, such as those from Chile and Malaysia, expressed reservations.Obviously their attitude represents the position of their governments. Towards the end of the debate, Killanin convened several commissioners to draft a statement, some of which were revised by Killanen himself.The statement was adopted at the IOC General Committee meeting and issued in the personal name of the IOC President. The core of this statement is to point out that the 73 members who participated in this meeting of the International Olympic Committee unanimously agreed that the Olympic Games must be held in Moscow as planned. The statement reminds people: First, the right to host the Olympic Games has been awarded to the city of Moscow, and an agreement was signed on October 23, 1974 by all relevant parties, and various preparations are being carried out in accordance with the terms of the agreement and the relevant regulations of the International Olympic Committee; Second, the IOC is primarily responsible for athletes from all over the world.The International Olympic Committee shall ensure that the Olympic Games are held every four years in accordance with the principles and regulations of the International Olympic Committee; Third, the International Olympic Committee has been aware of and fully understands the serious challenges posed by the world situation to the Olympic Games; Fourth, the governments of many countries proposed that their athletes would not be encouraged or even banned from participating in the 1980 Moscow Olympics. The US Olympic Committee also expressed the same to the International Olympic Committee at the request of the US President.These issues have been discussed and debated by the IOC as with other recommendations; Fifth, all recognized 142 NOCs shall be bound by the Olympic Charter.The NOCs of these countries have the right to accept or decline invitations to the Games only after consultation with their members.The international sports federations are responsible for technical matters related to the Olympic Games, and they have always expressed their support for the IOC. The statement stressed that the survival of the Olympic Games and the Olympic Movement, as well as the organization of sports by the International Federations, is at stake.The IOC is incapable of solving the world's political problems, so he calls on all governments, especially big ones, to work together to resolve their differences. The statement also mentioned that many national Olympic committees have difficulties in cooperating with their governments and public opinion.The IOC, its members and NOCs will make every effort to inform governments and the public about the principles and objectives of the Olympic Movement. The statement noted that the IOC took particular note of the difficult situation of the US NOC and hoped that it would continue its efforts to enable its athletes to compete.At the same time, the IOC asked the Moscow Olympic Organizing Committee and the Soviet National Olympic Committee to inform the highest leaders of their governments of the difficulties caused by the actions of the Soviet government to many National Olympic Committees. The statement concluded by announcing that the deadline for accepting or rejecting invitations to participate in the Moscow Olympics was May 24, 1980. More than two months after the statement was issued, the Federation of National Olympic Committees met in Mexico City and announced its support for the IOC. The International Federation of Sports Federations also held a meeting in Lausanne from April 21 to 22 to actively support the International Olympic Committee. At the same time, US President Carter announced that he not only called for the cancellation of the Olympic Games, but also warned the Soviet Union that if Soviet troops did not withdraw from Afghanistan by February 20, he would do everything possible to prevent other countries from participating in the Olympic Games. Although the Federation of National Olympic Committees supports the International Olympic Committee, when it comes to the Olympic Committee of a country, the obstacles are much greater.For example, the Australian National Olympic Committee received a letter from Prime Minister Fraser stating the Australian government's support for President Carter's proposal.After consideration, the Australian National Olympic Committee forwarded the letter to the International Olympic Committee without any comments. Killanen knew that President Carter was at the crux of the problem.He decided to persuade Carter to give up his plan to boycott the Moscow Olympics through Uber Ross, chairman of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games Organizing Committee. On April 19, 1980, Killanin and Mrs. Beverlyeau, Director General of the International Olympic Committee, met with Uber Ross at the International Hotel in Geneva.Killanin hoped that he could explain to President Carter that if the United States took the lead in boycotting the Moscow Olympics, then the Soviet Union would certainly boycott the Los Angeles Olympics.The loss of this battle belongs to both sides.The U.S. government should start from the perspective of the International Olympic Committee and the status of the United States in the Olympic movement, and adopt other methods to protest the Soviet Union's sending troops to Afghanistan. Ueberroth said he felt the same way.He agreed to pass on Killanen's comments to President Carter. On April 22, Killanin received a letter from Carter, which stated: "The position of the United States against sending a team to participate in the Moscow Olympic Games is solely based on the harmful effects of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, based on the principles of international law, the maintenance of human rights and the national security of the United States and many other countries in the free world. As we have pointed out to the USOC, the position of the United States government is based solely on the above reasons. This position in no way implies our value to the Olympic Movement We will welcome the IOC and athletes from all Olympic nations in Los Angeles as we did in Lake Placid." Not only that, the U.S. government also decided to hold an international track and field competition in Philadelphia in the eastern United States from July 16 to 17, the eve of the Moscow Olympics that will open on July 19, inviting athletes who boycotted the Moscow Olympics to participate.Athletes from more than 20 countries including Canada, West Germany, Norway, Switzerland, Italy, New Zealand, Kenya, Egypt, and China signed up for the competition. As early as April 24, the Chinese Olympic Committee held a plenary committee meeting in Beijing and made a decision, "As long as the Soviet authorities refuse to respect the lofty purpose of the Olympics and do not withdraw all of their armed forces from Afghanistan before May 24, the Chinese Olympic Committee No athletes will be sent to participate in the 22nd Olympic Games in Moscow." From mid-July to early September, China invited world-leading swimming and diving teams from the United States, West Germany, Canada, New Zealand and other countries. And the Hong Kong swimming and diving team went to China for friendly visits and competitions.The visiting swimming and diving teams of the United States, the diving teams of Canada and New Zealand, and the swimming, diving and water polo teams of West Germany are all Olympic teams of their own countries, and they will not participate in the Moscow Olympics.Therefore, their visits and competitions to China are also considered an act of boycott. In addition, people from all over the world also joined the boycott.Many people in the US, UK, West Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Australia canceled their reservations to visit the Moscow Olympics.Postal agencies in the United States, Belgium, West Germany, Australia and other countries stopped printing or issuing commemorative stamps for the Moscow Olympics.Britain's Buna Pharmaceuticals has withdrawn its sponsorship of the Moscow Olympics.Coca-Cola of the United States also decided to stop supplying beverages to the Moscow Olympics.Broadcasters in the US, UK and Canada also canceled contracts to broadcast the Moscow Olympics.In this way, the Moscow Olympic Games has become the Olympic Games with the largest investment and the smallest income in the history of the Olympic Games. Many people claim that the history of fascist Germany using the Olympic Games to conceal its aggressive nature will not repeat itself, and the Soviet Union's hegemony will only be condemned more and more strongly. A boycott appears to be the order of the day.In order to save trouble for the countries preparing to participate in the Moscow Olympics, the International Olympic Committee held another meeting.At the meeting, Samaranch tried his best to reject all differences and insisted on adopting flexible emergency measures to try to get as many countries as possible to participate in the Moscow Olympics.He advocated that at the Moscow Olympics, each country's Olympic team could use the name of the country's Olympic committee instead of the country's name.It also allows delegations to use the flag of their national Olympic committee.If the National Olympic Committee does not have its own flag, the official flag of the IOC may be used.Also, except for the standard bearer.No one is required to line up for the opening or closing ceremonies.During the award ceremony, the national flag may be hoisted, as well as the flag of the International Olympic Committee or the Olympic flag.The national anthem may not be played, and the "Olympic Song" may be played instead.Samaranch's proposal was repeatedly discussed by the executive committee members, and finally passed at the meeting.The meeting also passed a decision that future Olympics should be presided over by the president of the International Olympic Committee, rather than by politically charged heads of state.Samaranch's flexible proposition undoubtedly comforted the battered Chairman Killanin, but will Western countries buy it? The Soviet Union is also active, and they want to use their strong economic strength to attract more participants.Since the Munich Olympics, some countries have developed a bad habit of participating in the Olympics only if they have funding.Before sending troops to Afghanistan, the Soviet Union expressed its willingness to provide financial assistance to certain third world countries.The Soviet Union also asked the Olympic Solidarity Foundation to help athletes from certain countries go to airports where the Soviet Civil Aviation has the right to stop, and then the Soviet Civil Aviation will send them to Moscow free of charge.This behavior of the Soviet Union was interpreted by the Western press as a last-minute decision made by the Soviet Union to save the Olympic Games.Samaranch immediately stood up to seek justice, wrote an article in "News", praised the positive attitude of the Soviet government, and clarified the facts, stating that as early as 1979, the Soviet Union proposed to subsidize athletes from some poor countries to Moscow to participate in the 22nd Olympic Games.Samaranch's article was reprinted by many major newspapers in the world, and the Soviet Union also expressed appreciation for Samaranch's approach.But can Moscow recruit more Western "VIPs"? On July 19, 1980, Moscow staged the lively opening ceremony of the 22nd Olympic Games in a deserted atmosphere.Although the rain of roses flying all over the sky and thousands of doves of peace made the main venue of the Olympic Games warm and cheerful, it still couldn't conceal the desolation and loneliness of the athletes' entrance ceremony.Only 81 countries and regions sent delegations to participate in the first world sports event in the 1980s, which was the smallest number of participating countries and regions since the 1960 Rome Olympic Games.The number of athletes is also greatly reduced compared with previous sessions. There are only 5,353 male and female athletes (including 4,265 male athletes and 1,088 female athletes), which is more than the number of male athletes (5,848) in the twentieth Olympic Games held in Munich, Germany in 1972. There are still 395 people missing. Since the United States and many other countries did not participate, most of the medals were concentrated in the hands of the Soviet Union and Eastern European countries, including 195 yuan (80 golds) for the Soviet Union, 126 yuan (47 golds) for East Germany, 41 yuan (8 golds) for Bulgaria, 32 yuan for Hungary, and 32 yuan for Poland. 31, Romania 25, UK 21, Cuba 20.Except for the United Kingdom and Romania, none of the above countries participated in the Los Angeles Olympics. There is another thing that is unhappy about Killanin today, that is, he hopes not to elect the president of the International Olympic Committee during the Olympic Games.In the interim, he thinks, the commissioners have many other things to do.In addition, Killanin had previously agreed to two four-year terms after his first eight-year term.But the reality of the ongoing boycott of the Olympics has discouraged him. On July 16, 1980, on the eve of the opening of the Moscow Olympic Games, Samaranch was elected president of the International Olympic Committee.