The 1980 Olympics, also known as the Moscow Olympics, were marred by controversy due to the political situation at the time. The Soviet Union, under the rule of the Communist Party, hosted the games in Moscow. However, many countries boycotted the event in protest against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. This political tension cast a shadow over the games and had a significant impact on the overall participation and atmosphere. The United States led the boycott of the Moscow Olympics and was joined by around 60 other countries. This decision was a direct response to the Soviet Union's military actions in Afghanistan.
This decision was a direct response to the Soviet Union's military actions in Afghanistan. The invasion was seen as a violation of international law and a threat to the stability of the region. As a result, the American government decided that their athletes should not participate in the games as a form of protest.
A Bewitching History: Why Witches Ride Broomsticks
Among the throngs of this year's trick-or-treaters, hundreds of Americans will be dressed as Miley Cyrus or a minion from "Despicable Me," but more will go with a fail-safe getup. "Witch" once again reigns as the No. 1 costume for adults, according to the National Retail Federation's 2013 Halloween survey.
Many of the pointy-hatted sorcerers who roam the streets this Oct. 31 will be carrying broomsticks or besoms. But few likely know the murky tale of how witches came to be associated with those familiar household objects.
The story — full of sex, drugs and Christian inquisitors — starts with poisonous plants like black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger), sometimes called stinking nightshade. [What's Witchcraft? 6 Misconceptions About Wiccans]
Flying ointments
Ingesting henbane, which is rich in powerful alkaloids, can cause hallucinations (if it doesn't kill you first). According to legend, witches used herbs with psychoactive properties like henbane in their potions, or "flying ointments." Some historical accounts suggest witches applied these ointments to their nether regions. And what better applicator than a wooden staff?
Lady Alice Kyteler, Ireland's earliest known accused witch, was condemned to death for using sorcery to kill her husband in 1324. (Kyteler escaped, and her maid was burned at the stake in her stead.)
The English historian Raphael Holinshed later recounted the case and described some of the supposedly damning evidence authorities found against Kyteler: "In rifleing the closet of the ladie, they found a pipe of ointment wherewith she greased her staffe, upon which she ambled and galloped through thick and thin."
Another oft-cited account comes a from 15th-century manuscript by theologian Jordanes de Bergamo. In his "Quaestio de Strigis" of 1470, Bergamo writes of witches who on "certain days or nights they anoint a staff and ride on it to the appointed place or anoint themselves under the arms and in other hairy places." [13 Halloween Superstitions & Traditions Explained]
It's hard to know whether or not witches actually did the deeds they were rumored to have done (like mounting hallucinogen-laced wooden staffs in their covens). Sources from the era when fears about witchcraft peaked are unreliable and biased, noted Charles Zika, a professor at the University of Melbourne, who has written about the imagery of witchcraft. Modern knowledge of witches often comes from manuals written by inquisitors, ecclesiastical judges and testimony by accused witches — much of it produced under duress or torture, Zika explained.
"A lot of it we can't trust as descriptions of social reality at all," Zika told LiveScience.
Sexy witches
The explicit implications of staff riding, and the sexual nature of witches in images throughout the Renaissance, are difficult to ignore. Artists like Albrecht Dürer and Hans Baldung depicted them naked. The witch in one engraving by the Italian artist Parmigianino is not riding a broom, but rather a gigantic, anatomically graphic phallus.
German artist Albrecht Dürer created this engraving around the year 1500, showing a witch riding a goat. Between her legs, she holds a distaff, or stick used for spinning wool. (Image credit: Public domain)
But racy images of witches fit in with a culture in which there was much speculation about female sexuality, Zika said.
"It's bound up with an anxiety about women and what place they have in society at a time when Europe was undergoing fundamental changes and transformations in society," Zika said. With the Protestant Reformation, some religious leaders established bans on drinking and dancing, brothels were closed and marriage was more strictly codified and controlled.
In the late 16th and early 17th centuries, images of witches riding up and out of chimneys start to dominate. During this period, women also were more closely associated with domestic space than they were 200 years earlier, Zika said. At that time, too, brooms are depicted more and more often in relation to domestic work in art.
"It seems to me that this idea of them flying out the chimney is actually kind of a protest against this confinement in domestic space," Zika said. "Witchcraft is symbolically in some ways freeing individuals from that kind of conception of their realm."
Can witches really fly?
Though the image of the broomstick stuck, early depictions in 15th- and 16th-century Europe show witches flying on a wide range of items, including stools, cupboards, wardrobes and two-pronged cooking forks, Zika said. But rarely are witches shown getting aloft on their own.
"There are very few representations of what you might call flying witches — they're usually riding some implement or animal," he explained.
"It's not their own bodies that are propelling them," Zika said. "The explanation in the theological handbooks is that they are being supported by demons and devils that are holding them."
Hundreds of years later, it can be tough to tease out what people and artists of the Renaissance actually believed about witches. In any case, some brave, if ill-advised, modern accounts suggest witches' flying potions probably worked. In his book "The Long Trip: A Prehistory of Psychedelia" (Daily Grail Publishing, 2008), author Paul Devereux recounts folklorist Will-Erich Peuckert's 20th-century experimentation with a mixture of belladonna, henbane and Datura:
"We had wild dreams. Faces danced before my eyes which were at first terrible. Then I suddenly had the sensation of flying for miles through the air. The flight was repeatedly interrupted by great falls. Finally, in the last phase, an image of an orgiastic feast with grotesque sensual excess."
The impact of the boycott was substantial. Many top athletes from the boycotting countries were unable to compete, significantly diminishing the overall level of competition. This was particularly evident in track and field events, where the absence of athletes from the United States, considered a powerhouse in the sport, was keenly felt. Despite the boycott, the 1980 Olympics still had its moments of glory. Host country Soviet Union dominated the games, winning the most medals with a total of 195. Their success was unsurprising considering their formidable sports program and the support they provided athletes. Other countries like East Germany and Bulgaria also performed well, showcasing the strength of the Eastern Bloc nations' athletic prowess. The Moscow Olympics faced additional challenges in terms of logistical and infrastructural issues. The boycott by several countries meant that smaller delegations arrived in Moscow, leading to smaller crowds and diminished enthusiasm in some events. Additionally, there were technological difficulties, such as the inability to display results on the big screens, further dampening the overall experience for both spectators and athletes. In conclusion, the 1980 Moscow Olympics were marked by political controversy and the subsequent boycott of many countries. This significantly impacted the games, leading to reduced competition and overall enthusiasm. Despite these challenges, the Soviet Union and other Eastern Bloc countries enjoyed success in terms of medals, but the event will always be remembered as one of the most politically charged and divisive in Olympic history..
Reviews for "Records Broken and Legends Made: Memorable Performances at the 1980 Olympics in Naxcot"
1. John - 1 star
I found the 1980 Olympics naxcot to be extremely disappointing. The storyline was weak and lacked depth. The characters were one-dimensional and unrelatable, making it difficult to become emotionally invested in their journey. Additionally, the pacing was slow, and the action scenes were poorly executed. Overall, I was left underwhelmed and wouldn't recommend this movie to others.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
While I appreciate the historical significance of the 1980 Olympics, I found the naxcot to be quite lackluster. The film failed to effectively capture the excitement and intensity of the games. Furthermore, the dialogue felt forced and at times was downright cringeworthy. The cinematography and visual effects were also subpar, making the overall viewing experience less enjoyable. I had high hopes for this film, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations.
3. Michael - 1.5 stars
As a fan of sports movies, I was particularly disappointed with the 1980 Olympics naxcot. The film lacked the necessary emotional depth and character development to truly engage the audience. The storyline felt predictable and cliché, leaving no room for surprise or intrigue. Though the performances were decent, the overall execution of the film was lackluster. I would suggest skipping this one and opting for a more captivating sports naxcot instead.
4. Emily - 2.5 stars
While the 1980 Olympics naxcot had its moments, overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied. The film tried to tackle too many storylines simultaneously, resulting in a lack of focus and cohesion. Additionally, some of the acting felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters on an emotional level. Though the historical backdrop of the 1980 Olympics was interesting, it wasn't enough to save this film from its flaws. I would recommend it only to die-hard sports fans willing to overlook its shortcomings.