Olympic Games

Seoul 1988

After failing to be recognised as co-host of the Games, North Korea (which was still technically at war with the South) boycotted the Games, with Cuba and Ethiopia joining them in solidarity. However there were no widespread boycotts for the first time since 1972.
159 nations sent 9,465 athletes to Seoul, including 2,186 women.
In the overall medal count, the rankings were U.S.S.R. first (132), East Germany (102), then U.S.A. (94).

Canadian Ben Johnson beat Carl Lewis in the 100-meters with a world-record time of 9.79 seconds. Shortly afterwards he tested positive for steroid use and was stripped of his medal.
Florence Griffith Joyner of America won four medals, three of them gold, in running events, while sister-in-law Jackie Joyner-Kersee won the long jump and heptathlon.
American Greg Louganis hit his head on the diving board, though was able to recover and successfully defended his Olympic springboard title a few days later.
In the basketball competition, the last American team to play without NBA players came third.
Tennis returned to the Olympics after a 64-year absence, and female tennis star Steffi Graf won the gold.