29-07-2025
45 years later, Australia's 1980 Moscow Olympians are finally being recognised
Chris Bath speaks with Michelle Ford, Peter Hadfield and Max Metzker, three athletes who were part of the 121-strong team of Australians who competed at the Moscow Olympics.
At the time, the decision that Australia would compete at the Games was highly controversial, with Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser saying it was a 'rebuff to the national interest of Australia'.
As a result, the Olympians who competed at the 1980 Games were called traitors, receiving death threats and even bribes in an effort to stop them heading to Russia.
But tomorrow in Federal Parliament, the 1980 Moscow Olympic Team will be recognised on the floor of Parliament, a welcome home event 45 years in the making.
