MOSCOW 1980 OLYMPICS AND BRITISH ATHLETES

That this House recognises the contribution made by British participants including their individual and team successes at the Moscow 1980 Olympics; remembers that on 25 March 1980 the British Olympic Association voted by a large majority to defy the then Government and to send athletes to the Moscow Games; recalls that hockey opposed travelling and fencing, equestrian, swimming and yachting deferred the decision; further recalls how the US recognised its nominated athletes who did not compete and could not win medals; believes that recognition and reparation should be given to each surviving British athlete who was blocked from competing;urges each relevant British sport's governing body to seek agreement with the Olympic organisers that the athletes who missed out should be invited to walk behind an appropriate Olympic flag at the opening ceremony in the London 2012 Olympics; andfurther urges each governing body tostate that in similar circumstances they would not again block participation, that those athletes should be given full opportunity to observe their own sports in the London2012 Olympicsandto consider holding a commemoration event appropriate to each sport recognising the age now of the elite competitors of 31 years ago.