U.S. Weightlifters in Moscow (1955)
The History in Color cover photo features legendary Team USA Weightlifting visiting Moscow during the historic USA vs. USSR weightlifting match in June 1955 (left to right):
Stan Stanczyk (82.5kg), Clarence Johnson, Joe Pitman (67.5kg), Dave Sheppard (90kg), Tommy Kono (75kg), Paul Anderson (90+kg), Chuck Vinci (56kg), John Terpak (manager), Soviet interpreter.
We already wrote about these matches in 1955.
It was a historic event on many grounds. In fact, it was the first EVER visit of American sports team to Russia and it was a huge event back then. The matches were a part of a good will tour of Team USA Weightlifting to Russia and Middle East in 1955 organized by the AAU and U.S. State department. The matches in Russia were held in Moscow and Leningrad in June 1955. Bob Hoffman of York Barbell brought one of the classiest American weightlifting team to the Soviet Union.
The tournament was held during the Cold War and the U.S. athletes won the hearts of the Soviet public. The Soviet weightlifters and fans looked at the Americans with interest and, on many occasions, with pure admiration.