East Germany's Struggle on the Boycott Frontline

For the German Democratic Republic (GDR), Olympic success was core to its international self-image. In 1984, it even managed to beat its “big brother,” the Soviet Union, in Sarajevo. This article analyzes why the 1984 Los Angeles boycott was disastrous for East German sports and traces how the GDR attempted to avert the impending boycott of Seoul in 1988. The study, which presents material from the very heart of Communist sports, highlights not only the sports diplomatic relations with the International Olympic Committee's president, Juan Antonio Samaranch, but also with Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro. The erosion of the Eastern Bloc's power at the Olympics is also demonstrated.