Ahead of the Olympic Summer Games 1980 in Moscow did the USPS issue 6 stamps and 4 postal stationaries in 1979 (September 5, September 28, November 2, December 1). A dispute with the International Olympic Committee prevented the USPS from using the Olympic rings and five-point stars were imprinted instead.

Following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the US threatened on January 14, 1980, to boycott the Summer Games should the Soviet Union not retreat. In consequence both stamps and stationaries were withdrawn from sale on March 11, 1980. In order to counter the following speculation bubble were the stamps put on sale again through the Philatelic Service on August 4, 1980.

Withdrawn stamps

Withdrawn entires (unused, used, FDC)