Canadian Coaches' Perceptions of the 1980 Olympic Boycott

Abstract

This paper examined Canadian coaches' perceptions of the 1980 boycott of the Moscow Olympic Games and effects on their lives and coaching careers, gathered by in-depth telephone interviews with 24 coaches of the Olympic team. Most of the 25 interview questions were asked earlier of athletes and now rephrased for coaches. In general, the coaches were more concerned about the welfare of their athletes than themselves, directing their energy towards helping their athletes cope with the boycott and, in some cases, to prepare for alternate competitions. The coaches' reactions were more subdued than those of the Canadian athletes affected by the boycott.