This paper assesses the modern and traditional sports of the Soviet Union
shortly before its collapse in 1991. The case study is the Central Asian republic
of Uzbekistan under the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU,
established 1917). Central Asia is a crucial historical case because it was a
Muslim-majority region that Moscow wished to transform. The study is
interdisciplinary and contains primary and secondary sources from the Cold
War era. The research question asks: What did the implementation and impact
of Soviet sport look like in Uzbekistan under Mikhail Gorbachev (CPSU leader
from March 1985 to December 1991). Uzbekistan’s sportspeople, facilities,
Spartakiad ranking of 1983, Olympic athletes, and traditional sports are the
topics examined.