At the opening of the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, athletes depicted a living samovar, a traditional symbol of Russian hospitality.

I was going through things in the attic from my parents and came across an Olympic bear, which at one time hung in our hallway for a long time. Meanwhile, 42 years have passed since Olympics-80 Moscow. And nothing but a flying bear remains in my memory. I was not in the project then, but my mother and grandmother remember those times well and speak about them warmly and with love.

Today's edition. "Site" Offers a little nostalgia and remember all the interesting things about Olympics-80 Moscow.



42 years ago, on July 19, 1980, the Games of the XXII Summer Olympics opened in Moscow, which were held for the first time in our country. Some of them remembered the boycott of Western countries led by the United States, a significant part of which, however, still sent their athletes, albeit performing under the Olympic flag.

By the way, at the opening of the Olympics-1980 in Moscow athletes living samovarA traditional symbol of Russian hospitality. For others, it was an important sporting event - the USSR team confidently took first place in the team medal standings.

View this post on Instagram

Publication by REDKADR (@redkii_kadr)



The third, first of all Muscovites, remembered unusual for Soviet times food variety in stores. On the food shelves of the capital appeared Finnish servelat and salami, jams and juices, liqueurs, cheese in the slicing, as well as Coca-Cola and even gum.

Well, I guess everyone was impressed. Olympic bearFlying into the "fairytale forest" in balloons at the end of the closing ceremony. My mother saw this bear personally. She says it was very beautiful and even a bit magical!

View this post on Instagram

Publication from USSR/USSR (@cccp_soviet_union)



Competitions were held in 23 Olympic sports. Sporting matches brought 74 new Olympic records and 36 world records.

The hosts of the Olympics were very successful. In all sports, we were among the winners or prize-winners. No country has won such medals in all previous Olympics.

View this post on Instagram

Publication by Ladislav Bubnar (@ladislav_bubnar_official)



It was for the Olympics in Moscow that the Sheremetyevo International Airport, the International Trade Center on Krasnaya Presnya, and the Cosmos Hotel were built.

In addition, 6 major sports centers were built. This sports complex "Olympic" on Mira Avenue, and an equestrian base in Bitza, and a universal sports hall in Izmailovo, a cycling track in Krylatsky, a gym "Friendship" in Luzhniki and a football and athletics arena in CSKA. And the Olympic Village. To this day, the sports facilities of the Olympics-80 remain a monument of the era.

View this post on Instagram

Publication by svo_airport (@svo_airport)



Now a little bit about the Olympic bear. On the eve of the Olympics, a competition was announced among artists of the country: bearOne that the world will remember. And by the way, they did it for glory!

Victory was won by a sketch of Viktor Chizhikov - he came up with the idea to wear a belt with Olympic rings on Potapych. By the way, the very development and manufacture of the rubber prototype was engaged in the specialists of the military-industrial complex under the heading “Secret”. To create a flying model connected research Institute of the rubber industry.

View this post on Instagram

Publication from Antiques. Buy, sell. (@conststarina)



The bear weighed 65kg and the staff realised that helium, which was scarce, might be lacking. Then they decided to wrap the bear with a garland of balloons. Almost no one knew that the process of flight and movement of the clubfoot was completely controlled by law enforcement agencies.



The balloon was watched from different parts of Moscow by policemen on motorcycles. He was caught on the Sparrow Hills, where all helium was blown away from the bear and sent back to its creators at a rubber plant. 42 years have passed since then, but this masterpiece is forever in our hearts.

Before and after the Olympics, the image of the bear was captured literally everywhere – on icons, envelopes, stamps, dishes, souvenirs, clothes.

View this post on Instagram

I love the vintage, I share (@raritet64)



Think about it, because back in 1980, there wasn't all this advanced technology for special effects. All this splendor was created by the hands and bodies of people in a literal sense.

View this post on Instagram

Posted by Pasha Angelina (@pasha_angelina45)



The people standing in these paintings had five caps, which they removed and put on in a certain sequence. These are not lights, but living people!

View this post on Instagram

Post by Vintage FOR YOU (@vintage__for_you)



I also propose to find out how the Soviet soldier Viktor Chukarin became a seven-time Olympic champion. He is remembered as one of the greatest athletes of all time. But the story of his journey to success is even more surprising!



View this post on Instagram

Posted by Len Borodin (@proshlogonostalgi)



Olympics-80 in Moscow for many remembered for its beautyThe depth and depth of preparation for the event. Well, the Olympic bear with the beautiful song “Goodbye, our affectionate Misha, Return to your fairy-tale forest...” forever remained in the memory of everyone, even children. They were small, but they remember.