1988 Summer Olympics Highlights

Who could forget the 1988 summer Olympics highlights with incredible twists and controversial turns surrounding a once in a lifetime event? Held in Seoul, South Korea the 1988 summer Olympics had been boycotted by North Korea. For those who remember it well, North Korea was not the only country boycotting the 1988 Olympics. Time would test the summer Olympics, but nothing tested it more than the athletes and a few select judges.

The unusually memorable events include medals stripped for various reasons. From failing doping tests, being secretly drugged, unfair judge rulings to having a heart of gold while giving up the silver medal. For those who may have forgotten or have not witnessed the 1988 summer Olympics controversial highlights we have listed a few.

1. Dopes in Weightlifting. Weightlifters in the 1988 summer Olympics were given doping tests. Unfortunately two Bulgarian weightlifters failed, terribly falling short of competition. The 2nd weightlifter goes bust after taking, strangely, a weight-loss drug. Bulgaria withdrew their weightlifting team after that point.
   
2. Mystery Disqualification. The disqualification of Canadian Ben Johnson after he won broke the 100 meter world record. It shook up the summer Olympics since Johnson claimed he had no idea how stanozolol ended up in his system. Rumors surfaced that he believed an American slipped him the drug, without his knowledge. Olympic followers felt sorry for Johnson at that time, whether drugged knowingly or not, it was a world record, down the drain.  However, if it occurred today the sympathy level would lack.
   
3. Unfair Judging. When South Korean boxer Park Si-Hun took on American boxer Roy Jones Jr. no one could have predicted what jabs the judges would take. After a judge ruling gave Park Si-Hun the gold over Roy Jones Jr. America was a rage over the unfair ruling of Jones. 
   
4. Heart of Gold. The heart of gold goes to Canadian sailo,r Lawrence Lemieux. What was supposed to be second place ended up being 21st in the competition after another competitor was injured and he came to the rescue. The honorable and brave moment in putting himself second, while giving up his silver medal, was noted through an award by the IOC. A touching moment in Olympic history.
   
5. Beginning of Judo, Ending of NBA Olympic Era.  There were other memorable moments such as women's Judo being introduced on a first time basis into the 1988 summer Olympics.  And for America the 1988 summer Olympics highlights included a closing chapter before the entry of NBA stars. The U.S. basketball team that year won the bronze.