Yet, within a few weeks, the hopes of a trouble-free Games were shattered. Shortly after Christmas 1979, the Soviet Government sent a massive military force across their border into Afghanistan.

It prompted a huge backlash from Western countries demanding a boycott and proved the biggest threat to the Olympic Movement since war forced cancellations in 1940 and 1944.

The 1980 Games were to be the first held in a Communist country. Moscow had been elected at the 1974 International Olympic Committee session in Vienna.

According to IOC President Lord Killanin, voting was "almost unanimous", although the exact figures were not divulged.

Killanin admitted that there were "early and consistent critics of the IOC's decision", but insisted that many others had welcomed the choice.

The Supreme Soviet had promised "the necessary cooperation and support given to the Moscow authorities, the USSR Olympic Committee and to all Soviet sports organisations in order to guarantee the successful conduct of the 22nd Olympic Games in accordance with the rules and regulations".

High-ranking Kremlin official Ignati Novikov was installed as organising committee supremo.

"Foreign observers have noted the impressive composition of the organising committee," said Soviet news agency Novosti.

Novikov inherited an abundance of top-level sporting facilities. These served as a launching point for staging the Games. Of some 250 new sports building projects initiated in the city, only 10 were earmarked for Olympic use.

"We wish in no way to eclipse the efforts of our predecessors by giant construction work on sports centres," Novikov said.

"We have adopted a policy of making the maximum use for the Olympics of available sports buildings and other facilities. Only what is essential and what can be used after the Games."

In early 1979, Killanin travelled to Moscow for what was described as a meeting of "Socialist" sports organisations.

He visited the vast riverside Luzhniki complex and the impressive facilities for swimming, basketball and gymnastics.

"Participants in the meeting expressed deep satisfaction with preparations for the 1980 Olympic Games and wished them much success," reported the official Olympic review.

The Russian hosts also outlined plans for an International Youth Camp, expected to attract 1,500 overseas visitors. This was to be organised by "Komsomol", the USSR Committee of Youth Organisations.

That summer, Moscow hosted an event known as the "Spartakiad". This was a large -scale multisport competition which had previously been open only to competitors from the Soviet Union. In 1979, the doors were flung open to allow teams from across the world to participate.

The Soviets described this competition as a "Pre-Olympic exam".

One face certainly passed with flying colours. Misha the bear was to become one of the best-known and most popular Olympic mascots of all time.

He was described as "merry, happy to be alive and active in today's world, the mischievous bear cub who wears a belt in the Olympic colours".

He was designed by children's illustrator Victor Chizhikov, later rewarded with the title "Deserved artist of the Soviet Union".

Misha proved so enduring, when Sochi staged the Winter Olympics in 2014, he was still fondly remembered by many in Russia.

In October 1979, the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) opened their special Olympic office in Moscow. They were to be responsible for coverage across the USA.

A crew of 12 moved into their quarters in Moscow and it was estimated that 70 per cent of the necessary technical equipment had already been installed, with satellite dishes to arrive in January.

NBC executive Don Ohlmeyer struck an optimistic note.

"NBC technicians have worked closely with the Soviets in constructing the huge Radio and TV Olympic Centre and they have the next 10 months to solve any problems. Satellite testing should begin in January. As things are going now, I have every reason to believe that the 1980 Olympic telecasts will not only be the biggest ever, but the best as well.

"With a year to go before the Olympic Games, the Soviets are right on schedule and that is no small achievement considering that two years ago they looked to be a lot more than two years away."

The Moscow 80 organising committee launched a publicity broadside which included a multitude of English-language publications. Amongst the titles were a magazine called "Olympic Panorama" and coffee-table books containing hundreds of glossy photos.

There was also a welcome message from the Spanish Ambassador.

"There is nothing more pleasant for an ambassador than to introduce the city to which he has been assigned. When this occurs in a capital like Moscow, a city which encompasses such a varied complex significance, it takes on a special meaning."

Moscow, said the Ambassador, was "one of the three Olympically best cities in the world. For a sportsman, it was a real-life adventure".

This testimonial had not been included by chance. The Spanish diplomat in question was Juan Antonio Samaranch, destined to become IOC President immediately after the flame was extinguished in Moscow.

In a small booklet entitled "Moscow's Red Carpet Welcome for the 1980 Olympics", the Games are described as "the joy and concern of the whole country".

It included offers of help from ordinary Soviet citizens.

"During my summer holidays, I want to work at an Olympic project for 20 days without pay. I want to make a contribution to this great undertaking," wrote Vladimir Kotov, a bricklayer from Ulan Ude.

"Please help me to take part in the building of the Olympic village," asked Mikhail Alekhin from the city of Vyazma. "I can guarantee top-quality work."

Novosti insisted that "many more friends and assistants sincerely wish to to do what they can towards this great common undertaking of a nation of many millions. These requests show how keenly Soviet people feel about the Olympics being held in the capital".

Yet, important though the Olympics were to the Soviets, the success of the Games came a distant second to foreign policy.

Leader Leonid Breshnev spoke of his wish for the Olympics "to take place at a high level and give a fresh impetus to lofty ideals of friendship and peace".

Yet in an earlier secret memo to his long-time comrade in the politburo, Konstantin Chernenko, Breshnev had fretted: "Besides the enormous cost, there may be all sorts of scandals that may disgrace the Soviet Union."

It was an attitude not fully appreciated outside the Soviet Union, as civil war in neighbouring Afghanistan prompted drastic action by the Kremlin.

In late December, United States intelligence reported a build-up of Soviet military forces on the Afghan border. By December 26 1979, it was estimated that some 10,000 troops had crossed the border.

A pro-Soviet regime was established in Afghanistan and, in the months that followed, a bitter campaign was spearheaded by American and British Governments to dissuade their competitors and others from attending the Moscow Olympics.

Of the recognised 142 National Olympic Committees entitled to compete in Moscow, only 80 eventually did so. Those who joined the boycott included the United States, West Germany, Canada and Japan.

Great Britain, France, Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand all sent smaller teams than usual, but many felt that their actions saved the Olympic Movement from a potentially fatal blow.