The Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee named Barnes Sports Artist of the 1984 Olympic Games. LAOOC President Peter V. Ueberroth said Barnes and his art “captured the essence of the Olympics”. Barnes was commissioned to create five Olympic-themed paintings and serve as an official Olympic spokesman to encourage inner-city youth. The posters were entitled: "The Rhythmic Gymnast" (Gymnastics), "The Finish" (Track and Field), "One-on-One" (Basketball), "Winning" (Boxing) and "The Neighborhood Games". At the 1984 Olympic Games, Barnes signed examples of an extended run of these posters in black marker for guests at the information booth during the event, as seen here.
