Date: 13-28 February 1988
NOCs (Nations): 57
Athletes: 1,423 athletes (301 women, 1,122 men)
Sport: 6
Events: 46
Volunteers: 9,498
Media: 6,838 (2,477 written press, 4,361 broadcasters)
For the first time, the Winter Olympics were extended to 16 days
in Calgary, Canada, including three weekends. The Alpine events
were expanded from three to five with the inclusion of the super
giant slalom and the Alpine combined. Team events were added in
Nordic combined and ski jumping. Jumper Matti Nyk?nen took
advantage of this new programme to win three gold medals. The speed
skating races were held indoors. Yvonne van Gennip surprised the
favourites with three victories. Christa Rothenburger won the
1,000m. Seven months later she earned a silver medal in cycling to
become the only athlete ever to win medals in the Winter and Summer
Olympics in the same year. Figure skater Katarina Witt defended her
Olympic title, while on the men's side Brian Boitano edged Brian
Orser in an extremely close decision. Charismatic skier Alberto
Tomba made his first Olympic appearance, winning both the giant
slalom and the slalom.
In Calgary, Canada, Chinese short-track speed skater Li Yan
claimed gold medal in the women's 1,000m and bronze medals in the
500m and 1,500m at the 15th Winter Olympic Games, where short-track
speed skating was a demonstration sport.
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(COC Website?? July 8, 2004)