Seoul Summer Games North Korea refuses to participate, and Cuba and Ethopia follow suit in solidarity, but there are no widespread boycotts for the first time since 1972. 159 nations send 9,465 athletes, including 2,186 women. Canadian Ben Johnson beats Carl Lewis in the 100-meter dash with a world-record time of 9.79. Shortly thereafter, he tests positive for steroid use and is stripped of his medal. Florence Griffith Joyner of America wins four medals, three of them gold, in running events, while sister-in-law Jackie Joyner-Kersee wins the long jump and heptathlon. Greg Louganis hits his head on the diving board but successfully defends his Olympic springboard title a few days later. The last American basketball team without NBA players comes in third. Tennis returns after a 64-year absence, and Steffi Graf gets the gold. In the overall medal count, the rankings are U.S.S.R. (132), East Germany (102), U.S.A. (94).
