{"id":13855,"date":"2016-10-02T20:52:00","date_gmt":"2016-10-02T20:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mircorp.com\/?p=13855"},"modified":"2021-08-02T17:02:10","modified_gmt":"2021-08-02T17:02:10","slug":"1980s-volleyball-diplomacy-and-mirs-beginning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/1980s-volleyball-diplomacy-and-mirs-beginning\/","title":{"rendered":"1980s Volleyball Diplomacy, and MIR\u2019s Beginning"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-layout \n  container\n XD-mt--sm XD-mb--sm\n undefined\n XD-h-100--sm XD-h-100--md XD-h-100--lg XD-h-100--xl\" style=\"background-size:cover;background-color:\" uk-scrollspy=\"\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\" col-sm-12 col-md-8 col-lg-6 col-xl-6 offset-sm-0 offset-md-2 offset-lg-3 offset-xl-3\">\n<p>In the mid-1980s I was a&nbsp;young athlete who loved to play volleyball,&nbsp;a sport that had been my passion since age six. For years <strong>I had a dream&nbsp;to one day&nbsp;play the Soviets \u2013 best in the world \u2013 in a volleyball match.<\/strong>&nbsp;It seemed impossible because the U.S. and U.S.S.R. were still pointing missiles at each other, ideological competition pitched capitalism against communism, and many truly believed the&nbsp;Soviet Union was the \u201cEvil Empire.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"618\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/PICT0005-Moscow-Nov-1980-parade-crowds-tanks-HHolter-618.jpg\" alt=\"Banners declare \u2018Long Live Our Great Motherland, the U.S.S.R.!\u2018 at the November 7, 1980 military parade. Photo credit: Helen Holter\" class=\"wp-image-13866\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/PICT0005-Moscow-Nov-1980-parade-crowds-tanks-HHolter-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/PICT0005-Moscow-Nov-1980-parade-crowds-tanks-HHolter-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/PICT0005-Moscow-Nov-1980-parade-crowds-tanks-HHolter-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/PICT0005-Moscow-Nov-1980-parade-crowds-tanks-HHolter-618-600x388.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\" \/><figcaption>Banners declare \u2018Long Live Our Great Motherland, the U.S.S.R.!\u2018 at the November 7, 1980 military parade. Photo credit: Helen Holter<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>I thought differently.&nbsp;After all, in the 1970s a game of ping-pong between the U.S. and China helped thaw relations between our two nations, an event history books dubbed&nbsp;\u201cping-pong diplomacy.\u201d <strong>Why not&nbsp;\u201cvolleyball diplomacy?\u201d<\/strong>&nbsp;Sports have a way of melting political tensions, cultivating conversations, and forging friendships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube aligncenter wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"MIR&#039;s 30 Years:  1980s Volleyball Diplomacy, &amp; MIR&#039;s Beginning\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/U4Jz2zJG8kA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-layout \n  container\n XD-mt--sm XD-mb--sm\n undefined\n XD-h-100--sm XD-h-100--md XD-h-100--lg XD-h-100--xl\" style=\"background-size:cover;background-color:\" uk-scrollspy=\"\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\" col-sm-12 col-md-8 col-lg-6 col-xl-6 offset-sm-0 offset-md-2 offset-lg-3 offset-xl-3\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Making New Friends and Realizing a Dream<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It was my good fortune that a team of&nbsp;Soviet Olympic volleyball players&nbsp;came to Seattle, my hometown,&nbsp;in 1985 for an exhibition match \u2013 setting a U.S. record at Seattle\u2019s Kingdome&nbsp;for volleyball attendance. My father, Stanley Grimes \u2013 a volleyball legend in his own right \u2013 and I had experience organizing and helping with the logistics and set-up of matches for our city\u2019s professional volleyball team, the&nbsp;Seattle Smashers.&nbsp;<strong>Because of that experience, we were asked if we wanted to help with this unprecedented volleyball exhibition match between the U.S. and U.S.S.R., and of course we said&nbsp;yes!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"618\" height=\"973\" src=\"https:\/\/mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/2517_001-USSR-vs-USA-Volleyball-Kingdome-1986-Steve-Richmond-full-length-618.jpg\" alt=\"Seattle\u2019s 1985 U.S.-Soviet volleyball match-up drew record crowds at the Kingdome. Photo credit: Steve Richmond\" class=\"wp-image-12156\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/2517_001-USSR-vs-USA-Volleyball-Kingdome-1986-Steve-Richmond-full-length-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/2517_001-USSR-vs-USA-Volleyball-Kingdome-1986-Steve-Richmond-full-length-618-191x300.jpg 191w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/2517_001-USSR-vs-USA-Volleyball-Kingdome-1986-Steve-Richmond-full-length-618-95x150.jpg 95w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/2517_001-USSR-vs-USA-Volleyball-Kingdome-1986-Steve-Richmond-full-length-618-381x600.jpg 381w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/2517_001-USSR-vs-USA-Volleyball-Kingdome-1986-Steve-Richmond-full-length-618-572x900.jpg 572w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\" \/><figcaption>Seattle\u2019s 1985 U.S.-Soviet volleyball match-up drew record crowds at the Kingdome.  Photo credit: Steve Richmond<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>My father and I assisted with the logistics, such as setting up the courts and equipment for the event. As we worked, I easily made friends with the Soviet players on the court. <strong>I took this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with an&nbsp;open mind and open heart<\/strong>,&nbsp;and after the game I invited the players out on the town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Four or five of the players and coaching staff joined me, and we had drinks and just talked. I asked so many questions of them, and they of me. I wasn\u2019t afraid or nervous;&nbsp;these were my brethren volleyball players,&nbsp;and I looked up to them as Olympians with a great deal of admiration.&nbsp;This was the moment I had dreamed of&nbsp;since I was so very young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"618\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/2518_001-USSR-Doug-drinks-with-Soviet-team-sweetened-618.jpg\" alt=\"Douglas Grimes (center) shares a toast with American and Soviet friends. Photo credit: Douglas Grimes\" class=\"wp-image-12175\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/2518_001-USSR-Doug-drinks-with-Soviet-team-sweetened-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/2518_001-USSR-Doug-drinks-with-Soviet-team-sweetened-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/2518_001-USSR-Doug-drinks-with-Soviet-team-sweetened-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/2518_001-USSR-Doug-drinks-with-Soviet-team-sweetened-618-600x388.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\" \/><figcaption>Douglas Grimes (center) shares a toast with American and Soviet friends. Photo credit: Douglas<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>At some point the assistant Soviet volleyball coach asked if I wanted to organize an amateur goodwill volleyball exchange to the U.S.S.R.&nbsp;I said, \u201cAbsolutely!\u201d&nbsp;<strong>That decision became a&nbsp;pioneering milestone in my life, and in my career.<\/strong>&nbsp;I don\u2019t remember if we shook hands on it, but we did&nbsp;seal the deal with a shot of vodka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Our Citizen Exchange and Making Volleyball History<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Two or three months later we got a&nbsp;Western Union&nbsp;telex from the Soviets&nbsp;giving us the green light. It took all of 1986 to set things up, first by putting a little ad in&nbsp;<em>Volleyball Magazine<\/em>&nbsp;that said&nbsp;\u201cVolleyball for Peace\u201d&nbsp;and then a phone number for our citizen exchange. That\u2019s how we got most of the team. Some were locals from Seattle, others from around the country \u2013&nbsp;a core group that was truly committed to this goodwill tour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"618\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/2512_001-DGrimes-BW-team-photo-on-Red-Square-618.jpg\" alt=\"42 U.S. volleyball players and support \u2013 two men\u2019s teams and one women\u2019s \u2013 played their Soviet counterparts in 1987. Photo credit: Steve Richmond\" class=\"wp-image-12174\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/2512_001-DGrimes-BW-team-photo-on-Red-Square-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/2512_001-DGrimes-BW-team-photo-on-Red-Square-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/2512_001-DGrimes-BW-team-photo-on-Red-Square-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/2512_001-DGrimes-BW-team-photo-on-Red-Square-618-600x388.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\" \/><figcaption>42 U.S. volleyball players and support \u2013 two men\u2019s teams and one women\u2019s \u2013 played their Soviet counterparts in 1987. Photo credit: Steve Richmond<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1987, our U.S. goodwill volleyball team played Soviet teams in city after city,&nbsp;from Moscow and Odessa to Volgograd and Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). <strong>My highest reward was meeting so many Russians and being&nbsp;invited into their homes&nbsp;at a time when it wasn\u2019t easy to do \u2013 even risky.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"618\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/PICT0002-Moscow-Nov-1980-parade-tanks-HHolter-618.jpg\" alt=\"Soviet tanks roar along Moscow\u2019s main street in the Great October Revolution parade on November 7, 1980. Photo credit: Helen Holter\" class=\"wp-image-13867\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/PICT0002-Moscow-Nov-1980-parade-tanks-HHolter-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/PICT0002-Moscow-Nov-1980-parade-tanks-HHolter-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/PICT0002-Moscow-Nov-1980-parade-tanks-HHolter-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/PICT0002-Moscow-Nov-1980-parade-tanks-HHolter-618-600x388.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\" \/><figcaption>Soviet tanks roar along Moscow\u2019s main street in the Great October Revolution parade on November 7, 1980. Photo credit: Helen Holter<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Although Mikhail Gorbachev was in charge and&nbsp;restructuring (<em>perestroika<\/em>) and openness (<em>glasnost<\/em>)&nbsp;were unfolding,&nbsp;communism still ruled and it was still the U.S.S.R.&nbsp;Keep in mind that Tina Turner, Van Halen, Black Sabbath, and even Julio Iglesias were&nbsp;still banned from Soviet airwaves!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The second part of the exchange was terrific; in 1988 we&nbsp;hosted Soviet volleyball players in the United States,&nbsp;touring New York, Tucson, Los Angeles, and ending in Seattle.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-standardcarousel js-xd-components__carousel\">\n  <div class=\"js-xd-components__carousel\">\n    <div uk-slider  >\n      <div class=\"uk-position-relative\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n        <ul\n          id=\"block_5eebd06182fc3-carousel\"\n          class=\"uk-slider-items uk-child-width-1-1 uk-child-width-1-2@s uk-child-width-1-3@m uk-grid uk-grid-small  js-xd-components__carousel-lightbox-open\">\n                      <li>\n                              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/STF-Doug-vball1-practice-CU-DGrimes-618-150x101.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/STF-Doug-vball1-practice-CU-DGrimes-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/STF-Doug-vball1-practice-CU-DGrimes-618-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/STF-Doug-vball1-practice-CU-DGrimes-618-150x101.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/STF-Doug-vball1-practice-CU-DGrimes-618-600x403.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Douglas Grimes at the net of a 1987 volleyball match in the U.S.S.R. Photo credit: Douglas Grimes\"\n  height=\"415\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                          <\/li>\n                      <li>\n                              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/91560007-150x98.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/91560007.jpg 1570w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/91560007-300x196.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/91560007-1024x668.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/91560007-768x501.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/91560007-1536x1002.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/91560007-150x98.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/91560007-600x391.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/91560007-1380x900.jpg 1380w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 1570px) 100vw, 1570px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Douglas Grimes' (second from right) childhood dream came true, playing Soviet volleyball champs throughout the U.S.S.R. in 1987 (Douglas' dad is in the center near the window, wearing glasses). Photo credit: Douglas Grimes\"\n  height=\"1024\"\n  width=\"1570\"\n\/>                          <\/li>\n                      <li>\n                              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/STF-Doug-vball2-practice-DGrimes-sweetened-BW-618-150x97.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/STF-Doug-vball2-practice-DGrimes-sweetened-BW-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/STF-Doug-vball2-practice-DGrimes-sweetened-BW-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/STF-Doug-vball2-practice-DGrimes-sweetened-BW-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/STF-Doug-vball2-practice-DGrimes-sweetened-BW-618-600x388.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"In some 1987 matches, Douglas Grimes played against Soviet Olympians, with their deep legacy of medaling in 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976, and 1980. Photo credit: Douglas Grimes\"\n  height=\"400\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                          <\/li>\n          \n        <\/ul>\n        <a\n          class=\"uk-position-center-left uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover\"\n          href=\"#\"\n          uk-slidenav-previous=\"uk-slidenav-previous\"\n          uk-slider-item=\"previous\"\n          ><\/a>\n        <a\n          class=\"uk-position-center-right uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover\"\n          href=\"#\"\n          uk-slidenav-next=\"uk-slidenav-next\"\n          uk-slider-item=\"next\"\n        ><\/a>\n        <ul class=\"uk-slider-nav uk-dotnav uk-flex-center uk-margin\" ><\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n      \n  <div id=\"block_5eebd06182fc3-lightbox\" class=\"uk-modal-container xd-components__media-grid-lightbox uk-modal\" uk-modal=\"uk-modal\">\n    <div class=\"uk-modal-dialog uk-modal-body\">\n      <button class=\"uk-modal-close-outside\" type=\"button\" uk-close=\"uk-close\"><\/button>\n      <div id=\"block_5eebd06182fc3-lightbox-slider\" uk-slider=\"uk-slider\">\n        <div class=\"uk-position-relative\">\n          <div class=\"uk-slider-container\">\n            <ul class=\"uk-slider-items uk-child-width-1-1\">\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/STF-Doug-vball1-practice-CU-DGrimes-618-150x101.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/STF-Doug-vball1-practice-CU-DGrimes-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/STF-Doug-vball1-practice-CU-DGrimes-618-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/STF-Doug-vball1-practice-CU-DGrimes-618-150x101.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/STF-Doug-vball1-practice-CU-DGrimes-618-600x403.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Douglas Grimes at the net of a 1987 volleyball match in the U.S.S.R. Photo credit: Douglas Grimes\"\n  height=\"415\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">Douglas Grimes at the net of a 1987 volleyball match in the U.S.S.R.<\/span>\n                                                            <span class=\"photo-credit\"> Douglas Grimes<\/span>\n                                  <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/91560007-150x98.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/91560007.jpg 1570w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/91560007-300x196.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/91560007-1024x668.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/91560007-768x501.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/91560007-1536x1002.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/91560007-150x98.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/91560007-600x391.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/91560007-1380x900.jpg 1380w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 1570px) 100vw, 1570px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Douglas Grimes' (second from right) childhood dream came true, playing Soviet volleyball champs throughout the U.S.S.R. in 1987 (Douglas' dad is in the center near the window, wearing glasses). Photo credit: Douglas Grimes\"\n  height=\"1024\"\n  width=\"1570\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">Douglas Grimes&#8217; (second from right) childhood dream came true, playing Soviet volleyball champs throughout the U.S.S.R. in 1987\n(Douglas&#8217; dad is in the center near the window, wearing glasses).<\/span>\n                                                            <span class=\"photo-credit\"> Douglas Grimes<\/span>\n                                  <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/STF-Doug-vball2-practice-DGrimes-sweetened-BW-618-150x97.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/STF-Doug-vball2-practice-DGrimes-sweetened-BW-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/STF-Doug-vball2-practice-DGrimes-sweetened-BW-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/STF-Doug-vball2-practice-DGrimes-sweetened-BW-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/STF-Doug-vball2-practice-DGrimes-sweetened-BW-618-600x388.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"In some 1987 matches, Douglas Grimes played against Soviet Olympians, with their deep legacy of medaling in 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976, and 1980. Photo credit: Douglas Grimes\"\n  height=\"400\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">In some 1987 matches, Douglas Grimes played against Soviet Olympians, with their deep legacy of medaling in 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976, and 1980. <\/span>\n                                                            <span class=\"photo-credit\"> Douglas Grimes<\/span>\n                                  <\/li>\n                          <\/ul>\n          <\/div>\n          <a class=\"uk-position-center-left uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover uk-icon uk-slidenav-previous uk-slidenav\" href=\"#\" uk-slidenav-previous=\"uk-slidenav-previous\" uk-slider-item=\"previous\"><\/a>\n          <a class=\"uk-position-center-right uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover uk-icon uk-slidenav-next uk-slidenav\"\n            href=\"#\" uk-slidenav-next=\"uk-slidenav-next\" uk-slider-item=\"next\"><\/a>\n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"uk-slider-nav uk-dotnav\">\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"color:#909599\" class=\"has-text-color has-text-align-center\">(click image to view larger photo)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When friends back in Seattle learned of our&nbsp;successful goodwill volleyball tour to the Soviet Union,&nbsp;they wanted to visit the U.S.S.R. as well, asking us to&nbsp;arrange visas and travel itineraries for them.&nbsp;So, we did. <strong>This was a major part of the&nbsp;serendipitous beginning of MIR Corporation and led to a&nbsp;multitude of \u201ccitizen exchanges\u201d between Soviets and Americans<\/strong>,&nbsp;including medical professionals, lawyers, agricultural experts, and of course athletes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Logistical Expertise and Changing Hearts and Minds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The heart of what MIR did in the beginning, and still does today, is our logistical expertise<\/strong> \u2013 we\u2019ve got a definite knack for cutting through red tape, handling visas, managing tricky border crossings, and devising complex itineraries. We create challenging and personalized journeys \u2013 journeys that can&nbsp;change hearts and minds and transform lives&nbsp;through one-on-one encounters and conversations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"618\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_5634-US-USSR-pins-CU-HHolter-618.jpg\" alt=\"This U.S.-U.S.S.R. lapel pin is a reminder of MIR\u2019s goodwill beginning, back in 1986. Photo credit: Helen Holter\" class=\"wp-image-13865\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_5634-US-USSR-pins-CU-HHolter-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_5634-US-USSR-pins-CU-HHolter-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_5634-US-USSR-pins-CU-HHolter-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_5634-US-USSR-pins-CU-HHolter-618-600x388.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\" \/><figcaption>This U.S.-U.S.S.R. lapel pin is a reminder of MIR\u2019s goodwill beginning, back in 1986. Photo credit: Helen Holter<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><br><br>The fact that&nbsp;\u201cMIR\u201d means both \u201cworld\u201d and \u201cpeace\u201d in Russian has special significance to me.&nbsp;I can\u2019t help but think <em>mir<\/em> is what you get when you throw travel into the mix of international relations and politics, in ways as simple as my team\u2019s&nbsp;volleyball diplomacy, circa 1980s. <strong>Travel truly opens our hearts and minds.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignwide has-background-dim-40 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/DSC_0893-Meaghan-Samuels-1920.jpg);background-position:49% 47%;min-height:250px\"><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\"><strong>More on \u201cMIR\u2019s 30+ Years\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-layout \n  container\n XD-mt--sm XD-mb--sm\n undefined\n XD-h-100--sm XD-h-100--md XD-h-100--lg XD-h-100--xl\" style=\"background-size:cover;background-color:\" uk-scrollspy=\"\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\" col-sm-12 col-md-8 col-lg-6 col-xl-6 offset-sm-0 offset-md-2 offset-lg-3 offset-xl-3\">\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Want to find out more about MIR\u2019s beginnings and hear some unparalleled travel stories?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Learn more about&nbsp;\u201cMIR\u2019s 30+ Years\u201d&nbsp;of travel experiences and adventures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button aligncenter\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link\" href=\"\/tag\/mir-history\/\">MIR\u2019s 30+ Years<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Contact us today to chat about your travel dreams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button aligncenter\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link\" href=\"\/contact\/\">contact us<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The heart of what MIR did in the beginning, and still does today, is our logistical expertise \u2013 we\u2019ve got a definite knack for cutting through red tape, handling visas, managing tricky border crossings, and devising complex itineraries. We create challenging and personalized journeys \u2013 journeys that can change hearts and minds and transform lives through one-on-one encounters and conversations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13864,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[713,725,101,723,215,717,707,726,724,448,729,727,59,728,721,730],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>1980s Volleyball Diplomacy, and MIR\u2019s Beginning<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The heart of what MIR did in the beginning, and still does today, is our logistical expertise and creating challenging and personalized journeys.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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