Just as the Americans had boycotted Moscow, so the Soviet Union team did not compete in Los Angeles.

While the Soviets said their non-appearance was due to their dissatisfaction at security arrangements, it was generally seen as retaliation to the American actions four years earlier.

With television rights fetching vast sums, some critics felt that the Games, once a festival for amateur sport, had become over commercialised.

On the track Carl Lewis matched the achievements of Jesse Owens, 48 years before him by taking golds in the 100m, 200, 4 x 100m relay and the long jump.

Britain's Sebastian Coe and Daley Thompson both successfully defended their 1500m and decathlon titles while in Gymnastics, Romanian Ecaterina Szabo won four golds and a silver medal.

Women's synchronized swimming was among the new events while a change to the Olympic charter allowed professional players to be eligible for the football competition.

A total attendance of 5.7 million were reported to have attended the Games.