{"id":1458,"date":"2020-02-24T18:53:04","date_gmt":"2020-02-24T18:53:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mircorp.com\/?page_id=1458"},"modified":"2025-10-30T20:56:58","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T20:56:58","slug":"the-mir-story","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/the-mir-story\/","title":{"rendered":"The MIR Story"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The MIR Story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was the mid-eighties, just before the time of glasnost<\/em> and perestroika<\/em>, and soon Gorbachev would open the windows and begin to air out the old Soviet Union, and that’s where the MIR story begins.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A fateful move for Gorbachev, and also for MIR founder Douglas Grimes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A young man with a passion for volleyball<\/a>, Doug had dreamed of playing the Soviet team, which had long dominated his favorite sport. His enthusiasm led to a behind-the-scenes meeting with the Soviet Olympic team at an exhibition game in Seattle, after which Doug became instrumental in organizing a goodwill volleyball tour of what was then the U.S.S.R. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Douglas
Douglas Grimes’ (second from right) childhood dream came true, playing Soviet volleyball champs throughout the U.S.S.R. in 1987\n(Douglas’ dad is in the center near the window, wearing glasses).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In a time and a place where speaking to Americans was a calculated risk, Doug excelled at making friends and soon immersed himself in the daily lives of his Russian hosts and their families. He connected with the people through spirited and intimate discussions in Russian kitchens, and was delighted by a common understanding. He fell in love with the people and the culture. <\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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