Miracle 2005 1980 Winter Olympics

Background History In 1980, Jimmy Carter was still president. The US was still reeling from the Nixon scandals and the Vietnam War. We were in the middle of the Cold War between us and the USSR Gas prices were high because in 1973 O.P.E.C. (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries- Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Qatar, U.A.E. and Venezuela at the time) were refusing to export oil to the US because we were allied with Israel, a country they refused to recognize and all but Venezuela were at war with.

Background History Cold War- 1947-1991, US vs USSR In the early 70s there was a brief period of mutual diplomacy where we were working on arms reduction and a reduction in tensions. However, in 1979, the USSR invaded Afghanistan and ousted a pro-US leader, aided rebels in Nicaragua in overthrowing a pro-US dictator, and Iran had a revolution which removed the pro-US Shah of Iran and replaced his entire government with a radical Shia Muslim government.

Background History All of this ended the thaw in US Soviet relations and the Cold War ramped up again. One of the aspects of the Cold War that people overlook is the fight at the Olympics. The USSR was able to sponsor a large government funded athletic organization where athletes were able to train full time and success for athletes and coaches was expected. From 1952- 1992 the USSR dominated, especially in Winter sports like Hockey.

Winter Olympics The USSR dominated Hockey, winning the gold medal in 1956, 1964, 1968, 1972, and 1976. The Games were held in the same year as the Summer Olympics then, and the president was considering a boycott of the Summer games to protest the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The games were in Lake Placid, New York. It was a big deal.

Leaders Herb Brooks Viktor Tikhanov Yuri Andropov Jimmy Carter

Game Positions Goaltender Defenseman Center Wings

Rules Offsides: When any member of the attacking team precedes the puck over the defending team's blue line. Offside (or two-line)Pass: When a player passes the puck from his defending zone to a teammate beyond the red center line. Icing: When a player shoots the puck across the center red line and past the opposing red goal line. Icing is not called if the player's team is killing a penalty, a teammate of the player shooting the puck touches it before a player from the opposing team, the defending goalie touches the puck first or if the puck travels through the crease (semicircle of blue paint at the "mouth" of the goal) on its way to the red line.

Penalties Minor Penalty: Two minutes Major Penalty: Five minutes Misconduct: Ten minutes Penalty Shot: A free shot, unopposed except for the goalie