1988 Summer Olympics

The Games of the XXIV Olympiad, held in Seoul from September 17 to October 2, 1988. They marked South Korea’s emergence as a major host of international events and were shadowed by Cold War tensions and doping scandals.

Ben Johnson doping case: A doping scandal in which Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson was disqualified after winning the 100 metres at Seoul. Johnson’s disqualification became the Games’ most notorious moment and reshaped their public memory.
1981 IOC Session: The International Olympic Committee meeting in Baden-Baden that selected Seoul to host the 1988 Summer Olympics. Seoul won the host-city vote over Nagoya, Japan, in 1981.
South Korea democratization: The political transition that ended authoritarian rule and established democratic government in South Korea during the late 1980s. The Games took place amid the transition following the June 1987 democracy movement.
1980 Summer Olympics: The Summer Olympic Games held in Moscow from July 19 to August 3, 1980. The United States and many allies boycotted Moscow, unlike the broad participation in Seoul.
Florence Griffith-Joyner: An American sprinter who won three gold medals and set world records at the 1988 Olympics. Her performances defined the women’s track program in Seoul.
International Olympic Committee: The nongovernmental organization that oversees the Olympic Movement and selects Olympic host cities. The IOC awarded Seoul the Games and coordinated their international framework.
Olympic diplomacy: The use of Olympic participation and hosting to pursue diplomatic recognition, influence, or international engagement. Seoul used the Games to expand diplomatic ties and present South Korea internationally.
1984 Summer Olympics: The Summer Olympic Games held in Los Angeles from July 28 to August 12, 1984. The Soviet Union and several allies boycotted Los Angeles, intensifying the political stakes of Seoul’s return to wider participation.
Greg Louganis: An American diver who won springboard and platform gold medals at the 1988 Olympics. He defended both diving titles despite striking his head on the springboard during preliminary competition.
Seoul: The capital and largest city of South Korea, located in the northwest of the country. The city hosted Olympic venues and ceremonies across the 1988 Games.

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