15 - 24 October 1988
Seoul, Korea
The 1988 Paralympics was, at that time, the largest and most well-facilitated in Games history. The Seoul Paralympic Games gave a new generation of Paralympic athletes the opportunity to compete in many of the well-designed and well-constructed facilities used previously for the Olympic Games. The results showed the importance of assistance from host countries.
The Seoul Paralympic Organizing Committee (SPOC) had only a tangential relationship with the Seoul Olympic Organizing Committee (SLOOC). But this relationship was substantial enough to recruit and train many of the sports and technical officials for the Paralympic Games as well. The Paralympic village was just 4km from the Olympic stadium. Athletes, coaches, trainers and team supporters were housed in a purpose-built village, which consisted of 10 apartment buildings with a total of 1,316 units.
Some 156 events, mostly involving athletes with serious disabilities, could not be held because fewer than three athletes had been fielded. There was much disappointment among the competing nations and international federations, but it was a sign that the Paralympic Games would gain credibility as elite athletic standards were implemented.
The Opening Ceremony on 15 October was held at the Olympic stadium before a crowd of 75,000. A record number of 3,053 competitors from 61 countries took part in the parade. The new Paralympic flag was presented to the International Coordinating Committee (ICC) President, Dr. Jens Bromann, and the Games were declared open by Mr. Roh Tae-Woo, President of the Republic of Korea.
There were 16 events on the programme: Archery, Athletics, Basketball, Boccia, Cycling, Fencing, Football, Goalball, Judo, Lawn Bowls, Powerlifting, Shooting, Snooker, Swimming, Table Tennis and Bolleyball. Wheelchair Tennis was introduced as a demonstration event. The 1988 Games showed a marked rise in athletic performance, with many multiple gold medal winners in various sports and events.
Trischa Zorn of the US, a visually impaired swimmer in class B2, won a total of 12 gold medals, including 10 individual titles and two relays, and setting nine world records in the process. Mustapha Badid of France established himself as the champion in men's wheelchair racing with gold medals in the 200m, 1500m, 5000m and marathon races. Wheelchair athlete Franz Nietlspach of Switzerland won three gold medals on the track in the 200m, 800m and slalom events. Connie Hansen of Denmark took five golds in the 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m and marathon wheelchair races. Dennis Oelher of the USA broke the 12-second barrier in the 100m, running on a prosthetic leg in a time of 11.73 seconds.
The USA team returned as a dominant force in Basketball. The men's team beat the Netherlands, the defending Paralympic champions, 74:63. The women's team took their first gold medal in Basketball by defeating Germany 38:31. This ended Germany's 16-year consecutive winning streak in Basketball dating back to 1972.
The Closing Ceremony on 24 October was held to loud cheers from the capacity crowd and concluded with a big fireworks display.
(Credit: IPC. Click here for further information.)