Friendship-84’ –Stolen Dreams:The socio-political perspective and legacy of “Soviet Olympia”

Abstract

The aim of the present article is to characterize a multi-sport event; The Friendship Games were held between 2 July and 16 September 1984 in nine states of the former Eastern Bloc. A special regard is given to the social, political, cultural and legacy aspects of this event. Historical methods, mainly the source analysis with elements of the content analysis, served as research tools. An important aspect of the research was personal and private notes and memorabilia of Jacek Sobkowiak, a silver medallist of the Friendship Games who was a Finn class sailor. The second part of the article is devoted to Friendhip 84’ in the light of dissonant sporting heritage.