One of the fascinating features of this magnanimous event is the number of events that are included in any given edition. This feature enables every nation to take part in this sporting event. But the journey has not always been a smooth one. The list of problems faced at Olympic is a long one, including doping, boycotts, violence, political interference and terrorist activities. Any kind of unsolicited incident occurring at such an international event is enough to send a shiver of concern across the world. There are factors related to diplomacy and international relations associates with the Olympics. So the safety and security of the participants assume the topmost priority all the time. The International Olympic Committee leaves no stones unturned as far as the safety of the participants and guests is concerned. It is undeniably a matter of great pride for any country to have been given a chance to host an Olympic event. Any blemish such as boycotts is not at all desired.
Having said all these things, one cannot overlook the events that have actually taken place more than once to mar the quintessential spirit of the Olympics. Boycotts feature prominently in the list of things that have acted detrimental to the popularity and respectability of this gala event. The first instance of boycotting an Olympic event dates back to 1956. Three of the major nations Spain, the Netherlands and Switzerland decided to walk out of the Melbourne Olympics following a turbulent political scenario in Hungary. The Soviet Union imposed certain restrictions upon Hungary after an oppressed section of the country raised voice against the Soviet dictatorship. The countries that boycotted that year's event wanted to show their solemn protest against the inhumane treatments unleashed by the Soviet authorities. Boycotting the Olympics was symbolic of their dissent.
The same year witnessed another similar incident when Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq and Cambodia decide not to take part in the event due to the Suez crisis.
Talking of boycotts at the Olympics and the 1980 Moscow Olympics must be mentioned. It saw an unprecedented number of countries refusing to participate. The number of countries that actually took part in that year was merely eighty. It was because of the Soviet aggression on Afghanistan that 64 nations including the United States of America boycotted the event. The Soviet Union in the following Olympics held in Los Angeles in 1984 did not take part.
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