[4] That month U Thant, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, called on all members to break all sporting links with South Africa.
[4] This violation of the Olympic Charter was added to multiple counts of sporting segregation, for which the IOC expelled the SANOC in 1970.
Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) denied permission to compete to four invitees, as did the U.S. State Department to two employees in South Africa.
[5] Competitors complained about low-quality accommodation, and local businesses lost money due to the turnout of fewer spectators than expected.
[7][8] The 1973 South African Open International Games were held in Pretoria from 23 March to 7 April.
Six members of the 1972 U.S. Olympic shooting team were invited,[17] while five Oregon State University wrestlers were suspended by the AAU after competing.
[18][19] A University of West Florida basketball team comprising "7 whites, 3 blacks" was due to compete.
[15] The FIFA had suspended the Football Association of South Africa (FASA) in 1964, but the FIFA executive gave special permission for foreign amateur teams to enter the soccer tournament in Johannesburg, when the organisers promised that black spectators would be allowed.
[20] FIFA President Stanley Rous was sympathetic to the FASA but needed the votes of Confederation of African Football delegates to retain his position.
[24] A team from the US Gymnastics Federation (USGF) was present, which included African American Corrinne Wright.