The 2008 Olympics are in full force and one of the biggest stories is who will win the medal count: China or the United States? But for years it was the United States vs. the Soviet Union. In each Olympics from 1952-1976 the United States and Soviet Union finished in the top two in the medal count with the Soviets finishing first in 5 of those 7 Olympics.

In 1980 the US would boycott the Moscow Olympics. President Jimmy Carter called for the boycott to protest the Soviets invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. Many countries joined in the boycott including Japan, West Germany, China, and Canada. With so many powerhouses out, the Soviet Union dominated the medal count. The Soviets racked up a record 195 medals. Second was East Germany with 126 medals.

The following Olympics were held in Los Angeles in 1984 and this time it was the Soviets boycotting the Games. The Soviets cited security concerns, but most believe it was simply retaliatory for the US boycott. But not many other nations joined in the boycott. The US finished with 174 medals. West Germany finished second with just 59 medals. The Games were a huge success for the United States with Carl Lewis and Mary Lou Retton becoming the big beneficiaries in endorsements.