1980s
Laker Magic Johnson celebrates in the locker room in 1987 after defeating the Boston Celtics to win another NBA championship. (Michael Edwards / LAT)
LONG HAUL
Joan Benoit runs to the finish line in the Coliseum to win the first womens marathon in the Olympics, at the 1984 Games, an event that had been opposed by some Olympic officials who believed that women werent capable of enduring the events 26.2 miles. (Joe Kennedy / LAT)
Rafer Johnson runs around the track at the Los Angeles Coliseum on his way to lighting the Olympic flame. (Gary Friedman / LAT)
Beginning with a festive opening ceremony, the 1984 Games were almost too glitch-free to be believed. Potential problems such as traffic jams, overcrowded venues and unbearable heat and smog had sparked much concern, but never materialized. (Ken Hively / LAT)
THE PRODUCER
Cheryl Miller scored 105 points in a 1982 Riverside Poly game and went on to become a USC All-American (Los Angeles Times)