Athletics at the 1980 Moskva Summer Games:

In 1980 the world record had been broken by Władysław Kozakiewicz (POL), and Frenchman Thierry Vigneron (twice), and Philippe Houvion. Missing were top American vaulters Mike Tully and Tom Hintnaus. Tadeusz Ślusarski, the defending champion was back, and also highly considered was Soviet favorite Konstantin Volkov. Vigneron struggled in the final, clearing only 5.45 (17-10½) and placing seventh. Four vaulters went over 5.65 (18-6½) – Kozakiewicz, Ślusarski, Volkov, and Houvion, with only Kozakiewicz clearing on his first attempt. Koza also cleared 5.70 (18-8¼), which won the competition, as everybody else would fail at that height. His clearance resulted in booing from the boorish Soviet crowd, who were rooting for Volkov. Kozakiewicz continued on, going over 5.75 (18-10¼) and a world record 5.78 (18-11½) on his second attempt. He celebrated by using a well-known gesture, telling the Soviet crowd where they could shove it. He also attempted 5.82 (19-1) and had one close miss.