The Seoul Games marked the return of the games to Asia for the first time since 1964, and the fourth time the games would be held in autumn, instead of summer. Although there were a few minor boycotts by North Korea, Albania, and some other countries, the athletic superpowers would all be in competition once again. Although no one knew it at the time, a seismic shift would be coming in international politics, and this would be the last games that the Soviet Union and East Germany would compete in, as each no longer existed at the time of the next games.

The Seoul Games started off rather unpleasantly; the opening ceremony featured the release of live doves as a symbol of world peace, but many of the doves were burned alive at the lighting of the Olympic Flame. After many protested, live animals were not used after the 1992 Barcelona Games. These Games were also the last to have a daytime opening ceremony due to warm weather.

Many interesting stories developed during the time of the games. Christa Luding-Rothenberger of East Germany became the first and only athlete to win medals in the winter and summer games in the same calendar year. Since the winter games would be staggered in 1994 so that a games will happen every 2 years this feat will never happen again. Rothenberger won gold in Calgary in a speed skating event, and won silver in cycling.

Swedish fencer Kerstin Palm became the first person to compete in 7 olympic games. Florence Griffith-Joyner made quite an impression on the games with her events. She smashed the record at the Olympic Trials in the 100 meters. She won gold in the 100, and added the gold in the 200 setting a world record 21.34 that still stands. She would add gold in the 4×100 and a silver in the 4×400.

The true spirit of the games was demonstrated by Lawrence Lemeiux, a Canadian sailing entrant. Lemieux was in position to win the silver medal in his Finn class race, but abandoned the race to save an injured competitor. He finished 21st in the event, but was awarded the Pierre de Coubertin medal for bravery and sacrifice by the IOC.

Tennis returned to the games after a 64 year absence. In one of the greatest feats Steffi Graf won the gold medal completing the ‘golden slam’. She won all four grand slams and the gold medal in 1988.

These games were not without controversy. Two Bulgarian weightlifters were disqualified for testing positive for banned substances. After the loss of the medals the entire Bulgarian weightlifting team withdrew from the competition.

The men’s 100 meter race was supposed to be the showdown of the games between Canadian Ben Johnson and American Carl Lewis, the defending champion. Johnson blew away the field and set a new world record, all of this would be short lived as Johnson tested positive for steroid use. Lewis was awarded the gold medal; Johnson alleged that someone spiked his food and drinks to protect the image of the American athletes, no basis has ever been found for his claims.

In the largest travesty of the games, American boxer Roy Jones, Jr lost the gold medal to South Korean Park Si-Hun by judging 3-2. Allegations surfaced that the Korean officials had fixed the judging. Jones was awarded the Val Barker Trophy as the most impressive boxer at the games. The judges that voted against Jones were suspended. At the announcement of the decision the Korean boxer pulled away from the referee and went and raised Jones hand as the champion. The match was not close at all and anyone who witnessed the match knew that Jones was denied the gold medal that was rightfully his.

Athletes from 159 countries participated in the games. The Soviets would win the medal count with 132 total 55g, 31s, 46b. East Germany would finish second with 102 37g, 35s, 30b, with the US third with 94 medals 36g, 31s, 27b.