This week the Australian Parliament formally recognised the 121 athletes from the 1980 Australian Olympic Team, including two shooters, who participated in the Moscow Games and acknowledged those athletes who were denied the opportunity to compete.
Around 50 Moscow Olympians, their families, Team officials and coaches travelled to Canberra to witness the recognition, which coincided with the 45-year anniversary of the 1980 Olympic Games.
The Australian athletes, who competed under a neutral flag, were among over 5,000 competitors from 80 countries who participated in the games despite significant pressure to boycott in protest of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
The current Australian Olympic Committee President, Ian Chesterman, also recognised this pivotal moment, saying it was the welcome home celebration the athletes never got.
“The parliamentary recognition acknowledged the courage and resilience of the Olympians who faced intense public pressure not to compete, and the enduring hurt and pain many of them still feel to this day.”
“The whole saga was a disastrous and divisive collision of sport and politics, and it put our athletes, sports and officials in the worst possible position.”
“But they fulfilled their dream in attending the Games and, in doing so, maintained Australia’s representation at the Olympics. Because of them we are one of only two countries, along with Greece, to have sent athletes to every summer edition.
The two Australian athletes who participated in shooting were Yvonne Hill and David Hollister (who passed away in 2019). They both competed in the mixed 50 metre rifle prone event, and in the end were only separated by one point, finishing 11th and 15th respectively out of 56 athletes from 32 nations. Video of this week’s historic Parliamentary recognition can be viewed here – Moscow 1980 Olympic Team recognised by Federal Parliament for a ‘welcome home’ 45-years on.