18 Incredible Olympic Moments Every Boomer Should Remember

Tensions were high when the men’s Olympic basketball team played against the Soviet Union’s team at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. It might have seemed like just a game to some, but most people recognized the political and social symbolism behind this Olympic game. The United States and the Soviet Union weren’t exactly the best of friends in 1988. How would this basketball game play out?

The 1988 Olympics was the first time Team USA played against the Soviet Union since 1972. All of this pressure might have gotten into Team USA’s head because they ended up losing to the Soviet Union team. Ultimately Team USA left the games with a bronze medal. That must have stung a little, especially after losing to an opposing country like the Soviet Union.