Rivalry sizzled during Cold War

High jumper Valeri Brumel graced the cover of Sports Illustrated for 1961 US-Soviet Union dual meet. (Sports Illustrated)

By John Powers

Globe Staff / August 8, 2008

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It was "Rocky IV" with hurdles and javelins. It was, as decathlete Rafer Johnson would say, "Communism vs. the Free World." If the United States-USSR rivalry was the dominant theme of the Olympics for half a century, their dual track and field meet was a heavyweight title fight, held every year or two throughout the Cold War, a home-and-home battle ... (Full article: 481 words)