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The nationalistic rivalry driven by the ideology of two nations in opposition, during a time when many people’s thoughts and fears were concerned with a nuclear holocaust, dramatically set up a historically beleaguered competition between two internationally influential nations.
For nationalistic Americans, Cold-War Olympics contextualized the Anti-Soviet sentiment present in the every-day American life during this time of pugnacious uneasiness. The Olympic Games, a time of devoted sporting events that signified a dogma of unrenowned fear present in the countries represented, was a chance for the American ideology to shine on an international theatre of war. The American ideal was one of a victorious tradition, which was unsurpassable by other “less laudable” nations. As such, to be an American was to be fulsome in the United States of America and it was to be confident in our ability in the political and athletic arena. This traditionally prideful mindset was undertaken as well by the Soviet creed. The Soviets assumed their nation was dominant over all other countries or states in the world. The ideology of the Soviets, a principle that the Soviet method was the superior way and the most prevailing way, was present throughout many political ordeals during this era of restlessness due to a belligerent presence felt by all the countries in the world. Thus, the American’s spirit was against the Soviet’s strength in a rivalry evoked during the Cold War era.
The American ideology was reliant on many past instances of triumph in the political and athletic arena, such as the success in the Cuban Missile Crisis, both World Wars, and success in the 1980 Hockey World Cup. They had been at the pinnacle in the world in both senses: politically and athletically. Thus, Americans believe that they could be victorious at any time of unrest due to the pious popularity of the American ideology. However, the attitude of the Soviets at the same decisive time was one of dominance, due to their unwavering supremacy in athletics. Their athletic teams were ranked number one in as many Olympic events as five, including: hockey, gymnastics, and track and field. Likewise, their governmental dexterity was spreading towards many other European and Asian countries. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was a world superpower along with the United States of America, at a time when their rivalry of national ideology and propaganda led to the creation of nuclear arsenals which are still in existence today.
American and Soviet views were dictated by presumptions throughout this rivalry and were rooted in mutual political antagonism. Moreover, the ideologies of both the U.S. and the Soviet Union were of the same views; the idea of being a nation superior to all other nations. The talk of the Soviet Union may conjure up images of an evil empire, bent on world supremacy, especially to Americans, despite the fact that the American view during this time was also one of world supremacy. The American ideology leads to a conclusion that creates negative views, visions of uncertainty concerning the inferiority of the weaker more impotent opponent, about the Soviet’s position in the athletic world ranks. The Soviet ideology on the other hand foresees world superiority as well; nevertheless they also contain much nationalistic pride and piousness towards their respective homelands. Furthermore, the American’s and the Soviet’s, although come to alternate conclusions, commence in essence with the same system of conviction towards their native terrain.
The enmity between the Soviet and the Americans was an event which led to the weight of two countries being placed upon the shoulders of the athletes to lead their countries’ Olympic team to triumph over their political rival in a time where world-wide destruction may occur at any instance. The rivalry was to be settled during three weeks of warlike intensity, in which many athletes, mules carrying the load of burden placed on their backs by their respective governments, would try to overcome the others and become victorious on the global stage set by the Olympics. The conflict between the athletics and ideology of the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. almost weakened during the collapse of the Soviet’s type of government, Communism. This rivalry, although intensified during the years of the Cold War, has not diminished between the United States and the Soviet Union mainly due to the world-wide competition played every four years in various locations around the world. Do you believe that the rivalry between the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the Cold War era kept the minds of the leaders of these countries on the Olympics and their fingers off the buttons that would have ended our world? Is the rivalry still strong in the world’s eyes, during our era of unified peace between the U.S. and the Soviet Union?