In 1972, the Cold War was still very much a reality, and it was played out at the Olympics during those Cold War days just as it was in Washington D.C. and the Kremlin in Moscow.

Basketball is an American sport, and a sport where the United States regularly took the gold. But that was not to be the case in Munich in 1972 when the US and the USSR met in the Gold Medal game.

In one of the most controversial moments in Olympics history, The Soviet Union won the Gold Medal basketball game after three seconds were put back on the clock after the final buzzer in one of the most confusing finishes EVER.
With three seconds to go, the U.S. hit two free throws to take a one-point lead. The Russian coach wanted a time out, but didn't get it until one second was left. He protested and got three seconds put back on the clock. When Russia did not score before the buzzer sounded,the United States, thinking they had won the gold by one point celebrated for two minutes only to be told that the game was not over.

Again the Russians protested, stating that the three seconds had never been put back on the clock (No instant replay in those days). So, in essence, they were given another three seconds. This time they scored.

In disgust, they refused to accept the Silver Medal, the first time anyone had ever refused to appear for the medal presentation.

The United States Olympic committee filed two protests. The final minute of the game was reviewed by a committee of five and the final score that favored the Russians stood by a vote of 3-2. The three judges voting against the appeal were all from Communist bloc countries.