1984 LA Olympic Games… the color, the glamor, Carl Lewis & the Rocket Man

Did you know that the two cities vying to host the 1984 Olympics were Los Angeles and Tehran?

As it happened, the Games when to LA and they changed the Olympics forever. They were the explosion of color, glamour, entertainment and excitement that the Olympics desperately needed.

For a generation of people these Games are a defining moment in the collective sporting memory; Carl Lewis flying down the track, a Rocket Man actually flying in the opening ceremony, Olympic trumpets… all playing out in an enormous classical stadium looking like a Hollywood set.

These were the first televisual Games, the Californian blue sky and golden light combined with the hot magenta, chrome green and other shades that were designed to pop on TV.

It was a far contrast from the tragedy of the 1972 Munich Games, the financially troubled 1976 Montreal Games and the boycotted 1980 Moscow Games.

The 1984 Games were also boycotted by fourteen Eastern Bloc countries, but this didn’t stop the show. It was a demonstration of American spirit and Californian optimism, and it was watched by more than 5 million spectators.

“Rekortan was an oval of speed at 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and we are proud to have played our part.”

A galaxy of track legends

LA had hosted the Games in 1932 and the track-and-field competition returned to the Memorial Coliseum, which had been renovated for the Games including a Rekortan track.

Amongst the stars, American Carl Lewis, shone brightest winning the 100m, 200m, long jump and 4x100m relay. His red uniform blurring with the red track to create a unison of beauty and speed.

Other track legends to win under the endless California sky included Sebastian Coe (1500m), Daley Thompson (decathlon), Edwin Moses (400m hurdles), Saïd Aouita (5000m) and Evelyn Ashford (100m).

The Games also featured the remarkable Merlene Ottey who won two bronze medals (100m, 200m), and a sliver for Florence Griffith Joyner (200m), four years before she won three golds in Seoul.

Rekortan was an oval of speed at 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and we are proud to have played our part. Overall, we have provided tracks for 7 Olympic Games.