Multiple choice Why were the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games boycotted by many countries? Russia athletes were using performance enhancing drugs. Western athletes were afraid to go to communist Russia. Russia had invaded Afghanistan. Because of the Cold War between Russia and America. Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself C Correct answer Explanation The United States led a boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow to protest the December 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. In total, 66 nations participated in the boycott, significantly reducing the number of competing countries.