1984 Summer Olympics facts for kids
The 1984 Summer Olympics were a huge sports event. They were officially called the Games of the XXIII Olympiad. These games took place in Los Angeles, United States. Athletes from all over the world gathered from July 28 to August 12, 1984. It was a very special time for sports fans everywhere.
 Olympic Games |
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| Summer Games: 1896, 1900, 1904, 1906, 1908, 1912, (1916), 1920, 1924, 1928, 1932, 1936, (1940), (1944), 1948, 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, 2024, 2028 |
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| Winter Games: 1924, 1928, 1932, 1936, (1940), (1944), 1948, 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 | ||
| Athens 2004 — Turin 2006 — Beijing 2008 — Vancouver 2010 — London 2012 — Sochi 2014 — Rio 2016 — Pyeongchang 2018 — Tokyo 2020 Games in italics will be held in the future, and those in (brackets) were cancelled because of war. See also: Ancient Olympic Games |
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| Youth Olympic Games |
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| Summer Games: 2010, 2014, 2018 | ||
| Winter Games: 2012, 2016, 2020 |
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| Singapore 2010 — Innsbruck 2012 — Nanjing 2014 |
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Contents
Hosting the Games: Los Angeles's Big Chance
Los Angeles had a unique opportunity to host the 1984 Summer Olympics. It was the only city that bid to host the games. This meant they were chosen without other cities competing against them. The city had hosted the Olympics before, in 1932.
Why Los Angeles Was Chosen
Hosting the Olympics is very expensive. Many cities were worried about the costs. Los Angeles promised to host the games without using a lot of public money. They planned to use existing sports venues. This made the games more affordable.
Using Existing Venues
Los Angeles already had many great places for sports. The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum was used for opening and closing ceremonies. It also hosted track and field events. Other places like The Forum were ready for basketball. This saved a lot of money.
Athletes and Countries: A Global Gathering
Even with some countries not attending, the 1984 Olympics were still huge. Many athletes came to compete. It was a chance for them to show their skills.
Number of Participants
A total of 140 countries sent athletes to Los Angeles. This was a record number at the time. Over 6,800 athletes competed. They came from every corner of the globe.
Notable Countries and Teams
The United States team was very strong. They won many medals. Other countries also had amazing performances. Athletes from all over the world made new friends. They also shared their cultures.
Memorable Moments and Sports Highlights
The 1984 Olympics had many exciting moments. New stars were born. Old records were broken.
Opening and Closing Ceremonies
The opening ceremony was a grand show. It featured a rocket man flying into the stadium. This amazed everyone watching. The closing ceremony was also a big celebration. It marked the end of a successful event.
Key Sporting Events
Many sports saw incredible action. In track and field, Carl Lewis won four gold medals. He matched the record set by Jesse Owens in 1936. The gymnastics events were also very popular. American gymnasts won many medals.
New Sports and Events
Some new events were added to the Olympics. The women's marathon was run for the first time. This was a big step for women in sports. Synchronized swimming also made its debut.
Symbols and Mascots of the Games
Every Olympic Games has special symbols. These help people remember the event. The 1984 Olympics had a unique mascot.
Sam the Olympic Eagle
The official mascot was an eagle named Sam. He was designed by a famous artist. Sam was a friendly and patriotic symbol. He represented the spirit of the United States.
The Olympic Torch Relay
The Olympic torch traveled across the United States. Thousands of people carried the flame. It was a symbol of peace and unity. The torch lighting at the Coliseum was a powerful moment.
Legacy of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics
The 1984 Games left a lasting impact. They showed that the Olympics could be successful. They also inspired many young athletes.
Financial Success
The Los Angeles Olympics were very successful financially. They made a profit instead of losing money. This was a big change from previous games. It showed a new way to organize the Olympics.
Impact on Los Angeles
The games brought a lot of attention to Los Angeles. They helped improve some parts of the city. The spirit of the Olympics stayed in the city for a long time.
Images for kids
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The Opening Ceremony at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
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Official poster of the 1984 Summer Olympics
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The Forum hosted the basketball events
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Number of athletes
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Countries that did not attend the 1984 Summer Olympics are shaded blue
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Newspaper vending machine announcing the 1984 Olympics.
_boycotting_countries_(blue).png)
See also
In Spanish: Juegos Olímpicos de Los Ángeles 1984 para niños
