Olympic Games

Los Angeles, 1984

This was the second time that Los Angeles had hosted the Olympic Games, the first time was in 1932
Communist China entered its first Games in 1984.
Women's shooting events were first included in the Olympics in 1984. There were three events, three position rifle, air rifle and sport pistol.
14 countries, including the USSR, boycotted the Games in what was widely seen as revenge for the Moscow Games four years earlier, though the official line was that they had security concerns.
These were the first privately-financed Olympics are a commercial success. In addition to a lucrative broadcasting deal, there are 34 official sponsors, 64 companies with supplier rights, and 65 licensees. These were the second Games ever to turn a profit - $215 million - the first being the 1932 Los Angeles Games.
The right to be part of the torch relay was sold for $3,000 a kilometer, over Greek protests, although the $11 million raised went to local youth groups.
A record 140 nations showed up, but, without the Soviets and East Germans, the Americans won almost three times as many medals as their closest competitors.
In a compromise with FIFA, professional soccer players were allowed to compete, but only if they hadn't been part of a World Cup event.

American Carl Lewis repeated Jesse Owens' 1936 feat, winning gold medals in the same four events.
16-year-old Mary Lou Retton earned her place on Wheaties boxes by winning four gymnastics medals - including a gold in all-around gymnastics - just six weeks after undergoing knee surgery.
Joan Benoit of the USA won the first women's Olympic marathon in Los Angeles in 1984.