The Seoul Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad, took place in Seoul, South Korea, from September 17 to October 2, 1988. This event marked the first time the Olympics were held in South Korea and was significant for its role in promoting international sports and cultural exchange. The Seoul Olympics featured 23 sports and 237 events, with over 8,000 athletes from 159 countries participating. The games were notable for the introduction of new sports, such as taekwondo, which became an official Olympic event, and for the impressive performances of athletes like Carl Lewis and Florence Griffith-Joyner.