Another boycott, led by the USA against the invasion of Afghanistan, reduced the number of participating nations to 80.
US President Jimmy Carter threatened to revoke the passport of any American athlete who tried to travel to the USSR, although other governments - including Britain and Australia - supported the boycott but allowed athletes to decide for themselves.
In a dramatic confrontation between British runners Steve Ovett and Sebastian Coe in the 800m and 1,500m, the former claimed gold and bronze respectively while the latter won silver and gold.
Daley Thompson won his first decathlon gold medal while Scottish sprinter Alan Wells raced to gold in the 100m and Duncan Goodhew claimed gold in the 100m breaststroke.
Aleksandr Dityatin earned medals in every men's gymnastics event to become the only athlete ever to win eight medals in one Olympics.
Gerd Wessig became the first male high jumper to break the world record at the Olympics while swimmer Vladimir Salnikov broke the 15-minute barrier for the 1,500m.
British gold medals: 5
