For the first time in the history of the Olympic Games, a Venezuelan won a medal in the 200 meter butterfly final. On August 4, 1984, Rafael Vidal Castro, at the age of 19, earned a bronze medal in the Los Angeles Olympics in one of the closest finishes ever.

The gold medal would go to Australian Jon Sisean, establishing an Olympic and World record of 1.57.04. Vidal's 1.57.51 would shatter his own South American record at that distance. The silver medal would be won by German (FRG) Michael Gross in 1.57.40.

Vidal's medal would be the sixth won by a Latin American during those Olympics. El Universal reported that "Rafael Vidal practically shortened the space distancing him from the wall in that last stroke and finished hundredths of a second before Pablo Morales to win the bronze medal in a spectacular finish to the men's 200 meter butterfly event."

Rafael Vidal had begun to swim at age seven and represented Venezuela in numerous events prior to the Olympics.

After retiring from competitive sports, Vidal provided both athletes and business executives with advisory. He also became a renowned TV sports anchor.

In the early hours of February 12, 2005, at age 41, the Olympic medalist died in Caracas in a tragic traffic accident when his car was struck by another vehicle taking part in an illegal street race. His death shocked the country because of the values for new generations exemplified by his professional career.

Another bit of sports news that filled the country with joy that year was the induction of player Luis Aparicio to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

1984 marked a time of change in Venezuelan's lives. On February 2nd, Jaime Lusinchi became President, and the fundamental issue in his inaugural address was foreign debt; he also announced a series of economic measures. He promoted austerity in public organizations and reduction of vehicles and airplanes in ministry offices.

In June, at age 81, Cardinal José Humberto Quintero, one of the most beloved Catholic pastors of the country, passed away. He was noted for his outstanding work as diplomat and politician, including an agreement between the church and state. In April, the Vatican condemned the "Theology of Liberation" and its Marxist inclination professed by certain clergymen in Latin America.