The final decision to boycott the Olympics caused disagreements amongst athletes. Athletes train for many years to get a chance at competing, and even then, many will never get the chance to actually compete. Because of this when the boycott was suggested many athletes were rightfully upset that they were losing what was possibly their only chance at victory. Although not all the athletes expressed their opinion, several did speak up to express their discontent with the final decision to go through with the boycott.
Debate With Athletes
“And then I heard those words from Pres. Carter: ‘We will not go’. I thought, you got to be kidding me? We’re not going to the Olympics? I was heartbroken that politics and sport had mixed, but they always do, it’s no use pretending otherwise.”- Don Paige
"I support it because in a time of national crisis every American has to do his part for national unity and solidarity. Many times you have to make sacrifices"- Lou Calvano
Even though many athletes were unhappy with the decision, not all felt the same. There were athletes who accepted the boycott and were willing to let their opportunity at competing go because they agreed with Carter that it would be beneficial. When Carter made his choice, even with the anger many athletes expressed he still had athletes who agreed with his decision and believed the boycott would be their part in helping, and that the sacrifice was worth it.
“I understand how you feel, and I thought about it a lot as we approached this moment, when I would have to stand here in front of fine young Americans and dedicated coaches, who have labored sometimes for more than 10 years ... to become among the finest athletes in the world, knowing what the Olympics mean to you, to know that you would be disappointed. It’s not a pleasant time for me.” - Carter
Tatyana Kazankina clinching the gold medal in the 1,500-metre race at the 1980 Olympic, Tony Duffy/Allsport, Britanica
Edwin Moses competes in the 400-meter hurdles at the Olympic Games Los Angeles 1984, teamusa.org