Final answer:
The US boycott of the 1980 Olympics was justified due to the Soviet Union's direct politicization of the games and the invasion of Afghanistan.
Step-by-step explanation:
The US boycott of the 1980 Olympics was justified due to the reasoning behind it. The main reason for the boycott was the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. The US saw the Olympics as an opportunity for the Soviets to gain propaganda and legitimacy, and boycotting the games was a way to express political opposition and put pressure on the Soviet Union.
This decision was supported by many Western Olympic committees, who believed that the Olympics should not be used as a platform for promoting political agendas. By boycotting, these committees and the US government aimed to make a stand against the Soviet Union's actions and send a message that they did not approve of the politicization of the Olympics.
Examples of the direct politicization of the Olympics by the Soviets include the 1980 Games being used as a showcase for their political ideology and as a display of their military might. The opening ceremony of the Moscow Olympics, for instance, included a military-themed display that showcased the USSR's military power and involved significant Soviet propaganda.
Overall, the reasoning behind the US boycott of the 1980 Olympics was justified in light of the Soviet Union's direct politicization of the games and the desire to express opposition to the invasion of Afghanistan.
Learn more about reasoning behind the US boycott of the 1980 Olympics