CONTENTS

The Soviet Boycott

16 A pullout—this time by the U.S.S.R.—dealt a stunning blow to this summer's Olympic Games
by Kenneth Reich

22 The absence of Soviet-bloc nations will decimate the fields in the Games' most glamorous events
by Robert Sullivan

26 For the athletes, there is disappointment—and a yearning for a much simpler kind of Olympics
by Kenny Moore

32 While many observers have already given up on the Games, others cling to hope
by William Oscar Johnson

38 It Was Down, And Then Out
Though Sugar Ray Leonard got up and won his comeback bout against Kevin Howard, he's calling it quits for good
by Pat Putnam

40 This Bird Is Really Superman
In the seventh game Larry Bird was singularly sensational as Boston put the Knicks out of the NBA playoffs
by Bruce Newman

72 From Stillness Comes Swiftness
One of the casualties of the Soviet boycott of the Olympics is Vladimir Salnikov, the world's finest distance freestyler
by Gary Smith

DEPARTMENT

11 Scorecard
46 Motor Sports
52 Pro Basketball
56 Marathon
62 Baseball
71 Movies
91 For the Record
92 19th Hole

Credits on page 91

Cover illustration by Edward Kasper

PHOTO

LEADING OFF: This week we offer you two overviews of the Bucks-Nets Eastern Conference semifinal NBA playoff series: the article on pages 52 and 54 and this picture from Game 5, which Milwaukee won 94-82 at home to leave New Jersey in the red, three games to two.

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