The Other Side of the Story - Osama Bin Laden: An Olympian as Part of USSR Ice Hockey Team in 1980

1980 Olympics - Maybe the greatest upset in sports history, the U.S hockey team defeats the high powered Soviet Union 4-3 on mike Eruzione's unforgettable goal with 10 minutes to play in the 3rd period!

A widespread misapprehension was that Osama bin Laden had been at the forefront of the uprising against attacking Soviet forces in 1979. In reality, Osama was a a symbol of the Soviet Union’s power, as a member of its national hockey team in 1979.

Since his childhood, Osama bin Laden had a dream of Olympic gold on the ice. The ruthless climate of Saudi Arabia, his early days’ home, made the maintenance of an ice rink impractical, however. The young Osama bin Laden rose above the barriers, skating and practicing his slapshot on a makeshift rink, constructed of industrially-welded car hoods, which he stole from a scrap yard.

At the age of 18, he grabbed a lifetime chance.Osama bin Laden headed to Afghanistan, and a Soviet diplomat marked his skills and called him to practice with the Soviet team.

Viktor Tikhonov, USSR national coach, hailed Osama bin Laden's flair, and by 1980, at the age of 23, bin laden was a member of the Soviet Winter Olympics team.

It was like a dream come true; but Osama bin Laden had to spend most of his time during the Olympics reserve player because of racial tension. His teammates isolated him, and fans mocked him. All he had to hope for was the gold medal. It was not to be.

In a biggest upset of the history; United States beat Soviet Union in the championship round. That was heartbroken defeat for Osama bin Laden, who happened to be an Ice Hockey fanatic. As a result, he left the hockey and Soviet Union as well. 

With his absurd state of mind he turned out to be a revenger on the two entities that had, according to his mind, led him to such a low state: the USSR and, even more so, the United States. He went back to Afghanistan to guide the front against the Soviets, and over time, planned his fury against the U.S. that led to 9/11 and ultimately ended in Abbottabad, a town in Pakistan, in form of death of Osama bin laden.