The Aug. 14, 1980, issue of the Park Labrea News featured Sam the Olympic Eagle, the official mascot of the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Sam was created by Disney for Olympic organizers and got an early start in promoting the games, which were held four years later. Sam the Olympic Eagle was unveiled during the summer as the United States and 66 other countries boycotted the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow in opposition to Soviet military involvement in Afghanistan. In return, the USSR boycotted the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The games were a major success, however, and were considered a model for future Olympic host cities. Star athletes such as Edwin Moses, Carl Lewis, Greg Louganis and Mary Lou Retton became household names during the summer of 1984. The financial success of the 1984 games in Los Angeles is still evident in the LA84 Foundation, which funds youth sports and recreational activities. Los Angeles is poised to host the Olympic Games again in 2028.