The fact that Romania did not obey the decision of the party authorities of the Soviet Union and other socialist
countries has until today caused many controversial opinions and speculations. This fact is often quoted, also in
academic discussions, as an example of unique heroism and independence of the Romanian authorities from the
Soviet political domination. It is known that the sole decision-maker in this case was Romania’s famous “red dictator”,
Nicolae Ceaușescu. His long-year rule led the Romanian society to extreme poverty, even for the standards
of the socialist countries. However, this did not stop him from conducting a relatively independent and expensive
foreign policy and presenting himself as a leader of international importance. For a long time presidents and prime
ministers of Western countries confi rmed his belief, sparing no praises or various honours, hoping for a political
schism among the countries of the Warsaw Pact. For many years it allowed Ceaușescu to achieve his propaganda
objectives in the international arena.
The situation was similar with the participation of the representation of Romania in the XXIII Olympic Games in Los
Angeles. However, it was only a short-term episode in the political confrontation between the East and the West. Also
in this case Ceaușescu received substantial fi nancial support from the United States, IOC and the Olympic Organising
Committee (LAOOC). However, he was not to enjoy this success for long. After a few more years of his dictatorship-like
rule he was sentenced to death by a court decision and executed by a fi ring squad together with his wife Elena.
