Despite a 13-nation boycott headed by the Soviet Union, the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles boasted 140 countries-the most ever to take part in an Olympics up to that point. With victories in the long jump, the 100m relay, and the 100m and 200m dashes, American track star Carl Lewis garnered four gold medals and set or help set two Olympic records.

Although Lewis won the most gold medals of any male athlete at the Games, it was Chinese gymnast Li Ning who earned the most total medals, collecting three gold, two silver, and one bronze. On the women's side, Ecaterina Szabo of Romania posted the most gold medals with four and tied for the most total with five, all in gymnastics. In the medal count, the U.S. defeated Romania 174-53.