After 52 years, the Summer Olympic Games returned to the United States in 1984 to once again be held in Los Angeles. Looking for respite after the previous three difficult Olympic Games, the IOC would not find it in Los Angeles. In May 1984, the Soviet Union announced that it would not attend the Olympics in Los Angeles, citing concerns over the safety of its athletes because of the “anti-Soviet and anti-Communist activities” in the Los Angeles area. Most people considered the boycott one of retribution for the United States’ refusal to compete in Moscow. Most of the Eastern European countries joined in the Soviet-bloc boycott, notably East Germany (GDR), and they were joined by Cuba. Although only 14 invited countries did not compete in Los Angeles, the absence of the U.S.S.R., Cuba, and the GDR made many of the events mere shadows of what was anticipated.
Events: 221 in 26 sports
Participants: 6,800 (5,230 men and 1,570 women) from 140 countries
Events for British Virgin Islands: 7 events in 2 sports (Athletics and Sailing)
Participants for British Virgin Islands: 9 (9 men and 0 women)
Youngest Participant for British Virgin Islands: Elvet Meyers (24 years, 91 days)
Oldest Participant for British Virgin Islands: Robin Tattersall (54 years, 11 days)
