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Spot the Difference: 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow vs 2018 FIFA World Cup

Sputnik

On June 14, the 2018 FIFA World Cup kicked off in Russia for the first time in the country's history with a colorful opening ceremony at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium. Football matches will be played all throughout the country until July 15, when the final takes place. At this very stadium, on July 19, 1980, the Olympic flame was lit, commencing the 1980 Summer Games. This is not the only thing that these two sports festivals have in common, although a lot has changed over the last four decades even the country's name is different. From happy fans to top athletes and celebrations — Sputnik's has picked the highlights.

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Nigeria and Kuwait competed in a football match during the Games of the XXII Olympiad, hosted by Moscow in 1980.
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Russia's Alexander Samedov prepares for a corner kick during a round of 16 match at the 2018 FIFA World Cup against Spain, which was eventually beaten by the Russian national team. The teams met at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 1.
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A little girl cheers at a basketball match between the USSR and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia at the 1980 Summer Olympics.
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A little girl cheers for Russia ahead of her the Russia-Uruguay match at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The teams met in Samara on June 25, with Uruguay beating Russia 3-0.
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Photographers prepare for competitions at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.
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Photographers at the match between Portugal and Morocco at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
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Foreign guests of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow have a look at the Red Square.
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Football fans on Moscow's Red Square during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
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Dancers of the People Friendship theater performing at the opening ceremony of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.
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Dancers performing at the opening ceremony of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, held at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.
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A beauty in a Russian traditional dress and headband, called a "kokoshnik," during a medal ceremony at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.
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A fan wearing a traditional Russian kokoshnik, at the 2018 FIFA World Cup round of 16 match between Russia and Spain at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 1.
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The USSR and Venezuela met in a football match during the Games of the XXII Olympiad, hosted by Moscow in 1980.
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Russia's Alexander Samedov prepares for a corner kick during a round of 16 match at the 2018 FIFA World Cup against Spain, which was eventually beaten by the Russian national team. The teams met at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 1.
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Foreign guests of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, parading at Luzhniki Stadium, then named after USSR founder Vladimir Lenin.
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Morocco's fans taking over Nikolskaya street in Moscow, which turned into a fan magnet during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
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Woman wearing headscarves with the 1980 Summer Olympics emblem.
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Volunteers with "Zabivaka" hats on, inspired by the official 2018 FIFA World Cup mascot.
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Doctors helping a track and field athlete, injured during competitions at the Games of the XXII Olympiad, hosted by Moscow in 1980.
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Poland's defender Jan Bednarek, injured at the 2018 FIFA World Cup game between Poland and Senegal, receives medical help.
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A Mexican athlete posing in a traditional hat during the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.
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Mexican football fans at the 2018 FIFA World Cup group game between Mexico and Germany.
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