American hurdler Edwin Moses receiving the Athlete's Olympic Oath during the opening ceremony of the 1984 Summer Olympics. (Photo by Gilbert Iundt/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)
DOG ASIDE:
In this video, ABC’s Jim McKay pays tribute to USA men’s 400m hurdles legend Edwin Moses…..who was selected by the host USOC to deliver The Olympic Oath at the 1984 Los Angeles Games opening ceremony….who then went on to win the men’s 400m hurdles gold medal.
The Olympic Oath, distinct from the Olympic creed, is a solemn promise made by one athlete (Edwin Moses in this case), judge or official and one coach at the Opening Ceremony of each Olympic Games. Each oath taker is from the host nation and takes the oath on behalf of all athletes, officials, or coaches at the currently celebrated games. While reciting the oath, the oath taker holds a corner of the Olympic Flag.
Edwin Corley Moses (born August 31, 1955) is an American former track and field athlete who won gold medals in the 400m hurdles at the 1976 Montreal Olympics and 1984 Los Angeles Olympics…..and would odds on have won gold at the 1980 Moscow Olympics….which were boycotted by executive decision of US President Jimmy Carter….the man who manifested the fact that the worst tics are politics by not allowing our athletes to compete in Moscow….for between 1977 and 1987….Moses won 107 consecutive finals (122 consecutive races) and set the world record in the event four times.
