Overview:
Held in the capital of South Korea, Seoul, in the year 1988, The 1988 Summer Olympics were officially recognized as “Games of the XXIV Olympiad”. It was the second instance of an Olympics being held in Asia; the first one being the 1964 Summer Olympics that were held in the Japanese capital, Tokyo.
A total of 160 nations participated in this mega event and it was broadcast all over the world by 11331 media agencies (television, radio and newspapers). The Seoul Olympics also witnessed East Germany and USSR participating in the games for the last time as both countries ceased to exist before the beginning of the next Olympic Games which took place in Barcelona. Being at war against South Korea, North Korea and its allies, Cuba, Madagascar, Seychelles and Albania boycotted the Seoul Olympics. Nicaragua and Ethiopia also did not participate in the games. However, larger boycotts that were witnessed in the last three Olympics, were avoided on this instance and therefore, Seoul witnessed the largest participation in any Olympics as of that date.
Seoul hosted the 1988 Summer Olympics after winning placing a bid to host them in the year 1981. It was chosen instead of Japanese city, Nagoya and the decision was made in the 84th session of the International Olympic Committee.
Notable Highlights:
The 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul witnessed Florence Griffith-Joyner, the famous American track and field athlete, set the Olympic Record for the 100 meter dash (10.62 seconds) and the world record for the 200 meter dash (21.34 seconds). She also won a gold medal for the 4X100 meter relay and the silver medal in the 4X400 meter relay. After the games were concluded, she publicly announced her retirement, putting an end to one of the most glorious careers in female athletics.
The Seoul Olympics also witnessed Ben Johnson setting the world record for the 100 meter dash. The honor was later stripped off him as he tested positive for a banned drug called stanozolol. Roy Jones Jr., a boxer from the United States lost the gold medal match to South Korean boxer, Park Si-Hun because of what was later called a controversial decision by the judges. The judges were accused of fixing the judging before hand, and were later suspended. Jones Jr. was awarded Val Barker Trophy, which is given to the most impressive boxer in the games.
Matt Biondi, the famous American swimmer, equaled the world record set by Mark Spitz 16 years ago, and won seven medals in the 1988 Olympics. Out of these, five medals were gold, one was silver and one was bronze. He set world records in four events and was about to bag his sixth gold medal, when Anthony Nesty of Suriname beat him by 1/100th of a second.