Moscow, Soviet Union • July 20 - 30, 1980

In protest of the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan, the United States, along with Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, China and Argentina did not participate in the 1980 Olympic Games that were hosted by the USSR and held in Moscow.

Trials for the 1980 Olympic Team were held March 24-28 in Colorado Springs in two stages. The first stage was an 'open' Trials held March 24-25 which featured 203 players who primarily hailed from the AIAW college ranks. The second stage of the Trials was held March 26-28 and consisted of 18 invited players who were joined by seven players from the 'open' Trials. A 12 member team and three alternates were selected, however, 1976 Olympian Nancy Lieberman, in a show of support for the boycott, withdrew from the squad shortly after the Trials and was replaced by Debra Miller.

Knowing they would be denied their opportunity to compete for the Olympic gold in Moscow, ABAUSA and the USA Women's Olympic Basketball Team elected to go ahead with training and to compete in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Prior to the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, the USA team recorded a 99-57 triumph over a Hudson Valley (N.Y.) all-star team. Then the U.S. women journeyed to Europe where they crushed the Italian National Team 81-62, and defeated the French National Team twice, 81-80 and 96-74

Traveling on to Varna, Bulgaria for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, 22 countries participated in the tourney that would determine the five countries that would qualify for the 1980 Olympics. The Soviet Union women did not compete in the Olympic Qualification Tournament because they had already qualified for the '80 Games as the host country and as the defending Olympic champions.

The American women posted an impressive 6-1 record to win the tournament and established themselves as an Olympic favorite along with the Soviets. Bettering their opponents by an average victory margin of 17.7 points a game, the USA's lone setback was to South Korea in the semi-final group play by a single point 89-88. The USA's list of victims during the Tournament included one-point wins over 1980 Olympic silver medalist Bulgaria (76-75), and bronze medalist Yugoslavia (85-84).

UCLA's 6'1' standout forward Denise Curry emerged as the team's offensive standout, averaging 17.8 ppg. and 5.7 rpg. in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament. The USA also received strong offensive efforts from 6'5' Cindy Noble, 13.8 ppg. and 6.7 rpg., Rosie Walker, 12.7 ppg. and 5.7 rpg., LaTaunya Pollard and Carol Blazejowski, 12.0 ppg. and 10.7 ppg. respectively.

With the USA not taking part in the 1980 Games, Hungary was selected to replace the U.S. women's team. The Soviet Union's path to the gold medal proved even less challenging than in 1976. The USSR compiled an unblemished 6-0 record, winning all its games by 31 points or more. In the Olympic finals, the Soviets easily defeated Bulgaria 104-73 to earn the gold medal, and Yugoslavia captured the bronze medal after defeating Hungary 68-65.

1980 USA WOMEN’S OLYMPIC TEAM ROSTER

1980 USA WOMEN’S OLYMPIC TEAM CUMULATIVE STATISTICS

*The USA did not participate in the 1980 Moscow Olympics. However, the team did participate in the FIBA Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Varna, Bulgaria. The cumulative statistics from the Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament can be found above.

Note: individual cumulative statistical totals reflect only six of the seven games the USA played because the box score versus Bulgaria is not available. Team cumulative statistical totals reflect six game totals as well, except for points scored and points scored per game which include totals for all seven games.