1988 Summer Olympics The Games of the XXIV Olympiad were held in 1988 in Seoul, South Korea. The host was chosen in a 1981 vote, ahead of the Japanese city of Nagoya. Games of the XXIV Olympiad 1988 Summer Olympics Nations participating 159 Athletes participating 8,465 (6,279 men, 2,186 women) Events 263 in 27 sports Opening ceremonies September 17, 1988 Closing ceremonies October 2, 1988 Officially opened by Roh Taewoo Athlete's Oath Hur Jae Judge's Oath: Lee Hakrae Olympic Torch Sohn Kee-chung, Chung Sunman, Kim Wontak and Sohn Mi-Chung Highlights South Korea's government became a democracy under the pressure of organising the Olympics. After boycotts of the Olympics in 1976, 1980 and 1984, the Games were again boycotted, but only by four nations: North Korea, Cuba, Ethiopia and Nicaragua. Canadian Ben Johnson wins the 100 m in a new World Record, but is then disqualified after he has been found guilty of doping. Swimmer Kristin Otto of East Germany wins six gold medals. Other multi-medalists in the pool are Matt Biondi (five) and Janet Evans (3). Anthony Nesty of Suriname wins his country's first Olympic medal by winning the 100 m butterfly, scoring an upset victory. US Sprinter Florence Griffith Joyner wins three gold medals and a silver on the track. Christa Rothenburger becomes the first (and last) athlete to win Olympic medals at the Winter Olympics and Summer Olympics in the same year. She adds a cycling silver to the speed skating gold she won earlier in the year in Calgary. US diver Greg Louganis wins back-to-back titles on both diving events, but only after hitting the springboard with his head in the 3-m event final. Tennis returns to the Olympics after a 64-year absence. Steffi Graf adds to her four Grand Slam victories in the year by also winning the Olympic title. Table tennis is introduced at the Olympics, with China and the host nation both winning two titles. Daniela Silivas of Romania wins three gold medals in gymnastics, Soviet Vladimir Artemov wins four. Two Bulgarian weightlifters are stripped of their gold medals after testing positive for doping. The Bulgarian weightlifting team withdraws after this event. Baseball and Taekwondo are demo sports Women's Judo The last amateur US men's basketball team fails to win the gold, for only the third time in Olympic history. Medals awarded See the medal winners, ordered by sport: Medal count Top medal-collecting nations: (for the full table, see 1988 Summer Olympics medal count) See also 1988 Summer Paralympics International Olympic Committee WikiProject Sports Olympics IOC country codes External links IOC Site on 1988 Summer Olympics Most Popular Articles: Music    Musical Instruments    Guitar    Classical Music    History    Music Definition    Country Music    Rock Music    Pop Music    Hip Hop    Rap    DJ    Video Games    Casino Games    Poker    Blackjack    Casinos    Real Estate    Loan    Auction    eBay    Marketing    Search Engine Optimization    File Sharing    MP3    Music Industry    Kazaa    Internet    Supermodel    Fashion    Fashion Designers    Erotica    Modeling    Clothing    Boots    Shoes    Diamond Engagement Rings    Diamond    Rugs    Gospel Music    Affiliate    E-Commerce    Radio This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License at http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html You may copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license. You must provide a link to http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html To view or edit this article at Wikipedia go to http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988_Summer_Olympics