A Miracle Reborn

Stories of the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics

Story by Josh Schermerhorn

Photos courtesy of whiteface.com

Amidst the political and military tension of a nearly half-century Cold War was a town called Lake Placid, lost in the euphoria of a global competition: the Olympics.  Though the 1980 Winter Games in Lake Placid, N.Y., brought the political rivalry between the U.S. and the Soviet Union to the forefront, it was the stories, from the best skater in the world to a group of skaters that performed miracles on ice, that captivated a nation.  Three decades later, those memories are still as crisp as the frigid Adirondack air.

“My favorite memories were of being on Main Street during the evening,” says Jerry McGovern, an adjunct lecturer at SUNY Plattsburgh and coordinator of the educational outreach program for the Press Republican.  “It was like a cold Mardi Gras, where the friendliness and kindness was delightful.”

Feeling the need to be a part of the event, McGovern took a unique role in the 1980 Olympics as a driver. 

“I would leave my Peru home at about 5:15 a.m., and head for Bloomington,” McGovern says.  “We would take a bus to the Lake Placid Resort, which was a beautiful place.  We would then get a call for a pick-up or a drop-off and go to the driver trailer— a Winnebago of sorts. Sometimes we went to the Olympic village.  I only took officials, not athletes.”

After finishing the day around 5 p.m., McGovern would make his way to Lake Placid’s Main Street.

“The place was more like a pedestrian mall than anything,” he says.  “Buying a Coke was something like $3.50, so you can imagine how hard it was to not spend all the money you just made for the day.  However, it was a euphoric experience.  I even had a chance to talk to someone who was at the 1932 Olympics.”

“The Winter Games give Lake Placid a sense of pride.”

The 1932 Winter Games were held under much different circumstances By1980, the Great Depression and radio fireside-chats of the 30’s were replaced by the Cold War and televisions broadcasting events around the globe.  Behind the façade of fun and games was a conflict between not only two countries, but also their events.  President Jimmy Carter made the decision to boycott the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow since the Soviet Union would not withdraw from Afghanistan after their 1979 invasion.  In response, the Soviets would later lead a boycott against the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. 

Although the U.S. and Soviet Union competed against each other in and out of the sporting arena, their most famous face-off was on the ice.  The juggernaut Soviet hockey team, which had recently beaten the Americans 10-3 at Madison Square Garden, found their way past Canada to play the U.S. once again in the medal round.  However, the outcome would not be the same.  Led by fiery coach Herb Brooks and players such as team captain Mike Eruzione, and goaltender Jim Craig, the U.S. pulled off a stunning upset to beat the U.S.S.R. 4-3. 

The win was historic on many levels.  It allowed sportscaster Al Michaels to ask everyone if they believed in miracles, screaming the question into his microphone as the U.S. team broke out into celebration during the final seconds of the game.  Sports Illustrated printed a cover of the team celebrating victory with an American flag; it stands today as the only cover S.I. ever printed without a word on it besides the title.  It also was the first time the Soviet hockey team had failed to claim the gold since 1960, when the Americans also pulled off an upset to win the Olympic tournament.

“We wanted to beat the Soviets, not because they were the Soviets, but because they were so good.”

“We wanted to beat the Soviets, not because they were the Soviets, but because they were so good,” McGovern says.  “They were considered professionals, while we were a bunch of amateurs.  We beat the best team in the world.”

The biggest individual name of the 1980 Games also made his mark on the ice, but without a stick in his hand. American speedskater Eric Heiden, who won all five events he entered, a record that stands today.

“I was 13 at the time, and climbed a flagpole to see him race all five races,” says Olympic Regional Development Authority spokesperson Jon Lundin.  “I was on Mirror Lake every night to watch award ceremonies.”

Lundin literally ran into a very fortunate experience at the 1980 Games. 

 “I was leaving the arena as U.S. won gold for hockey when I got turned around by a Swedish player,” he remembers.  “I was pushed toward the player, who then gave me his stick and a big hug, and I still have that stick today.  It was a super moment.”

The roars and cheers of those moments still echo throughout Lake Placid. 

“The Winter Games give Lake Placid a sense of pride,” Lundin says.  “You can travel worldwide and people know what Lake Placid is famous for.”

With the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, the Adirondack town can only reflect on the memories of past Olympics, and possibly the future.

“The 1980 Winter Games were the last small-town Olympics,” Lundin says.  “I think the region could see the games again.  If we were to take a more regional approach, it could potentially bring them back.”  

What is your favorite memory from the Winter Olympics?