Malaysia did not participate at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, because of its partial support to the United States boycott.

Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid was the Chef de Mission of the national delegation at the Games.

[2] Olympic Council of Malaysia sent a total of 29 athletes to the Games, 16 men and 13 women, to compete in 9 sports.

Nine Malaysian athletes had competed in Beijing, including platform diver Pandelela Rinong, who was appointed by the council to carry the nation's flag at the opening ceremony.

Diver Yeoh Ken Nee, on the other hand, made his Olympic return in London, after a twelve-year absence.