Team, Men

The Soviet Union and Hungary were usually the favorites in the team event. But neither had won a World title since Hungary in 1975. Poland was World Champion in 1977 and 1978, and the United States won the 1979 title, but was not in Moskva to compete because of the boycott. In Moskva, Poland performed poorly and would not even win a medal. After the second phase, épée fencing, Hungary moved into a narrow lead over the USSR, and the two had separated themselves from the field. Hungary continued to lead after the shooting. In swimming, Sweden won the phase by a big margin, even though one of their swimmers, George Horvath, cost himself time when he lost his goggles. They moved into second place, only two points behind the Soviet Union going into the run. Hungary had dropped to third. But the Soviet runners won the cross-country phase and the gold medal, as Hungary passed Sweden to garner the silver, with Sweden winning bronze.