The Soviet Union is perhaps the most successful sporting nation in history. Its state-controlled program of physical culture produces a domestic program of mass sport and a championship-caliber program for international competition. The Soviet sports program, especially its Olympic champions, provides a source of national pride and international prestige. Soviet involvement in the Olympic movement since 1951 has included domination of the Olympic Games and persistent political use of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The Soviets used the international forum of the IOC to push for recognition of East Germany, wider representation for the African states on the IOC, and the expulsion of South Africa from the Olympic movement. Also, political relations between the Soviet Union and the United States often have been reflected in their sporting relations.
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