1984 Summer Olympics

Highlights

After the American-led boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, the Eastern Bloc, including the Soviet Union, East Germany and Cuba boycotts these Olympics (the USSR announced their intention not to participate on May 8, 1984). Notably, Romania is represented in LA and wins several medals. The boycott influenced a large number of events that were normally dominated by the absent countries.
The organisers of the Los Angeles Olympics are able to produce a profit of over $ 200 million.
Carl Lewis equals the performance of Jesse Owens of 1936 and wins four gold medals.
Nawal El Moutawakel of Morocco becomes the first female Olympic champion of an Islamic nation, and the first of her country in the 400 m hurdles.
A marathon for women is held for the first time at the Olympics, won by Joan Benoit. The event is also noted because of Swiss runner Gabi Andersen-Schiess, who - suffering from heat exhaustion - stumbled through the last lap, providing dramatic images.
Synchronized swimming and rhythmic gymnastics debut in Los Angeles as Olympic events, as does wind surfing.
The People's Republic of China returns to the Olympics after a long absence and wins 15 gold medals. In weightlifting, athletes from Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) and PRC win a medal in the same event.
Tennis and Baseball are demo sports.
Steffi Graf wins her first Olympic title.

See the medal winners, ordered by sport: