1988 Winter Olympics - Highlights

Highlights

• The Games were opened by Governor General Jeanne Sauvé on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II at McMahon Stadium.
• Figure skating was showcased with the Battle of the Brians (United States' Brian Boitano and Canada's Brian Orser), the unexpected second place finish of Canada's Elizabeth Manley in Ladies' singles as well as Katerina Witt's second straight Olympic title matching the same feat performed by Norway's Sonja Henie, and the Olympic debut of the Soviet pair couple of Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov.
• Matti Nykänen from Finland dominated ski jumping events, winning three gold medals.
• Dutch speed skater Yvonne van Gennip won three gold medals, setting two world records.
• Alberto Tomba from Italy won two gold medals in alpine skiing.
• Two competitors, Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards of Great Britain in ski jumping and the Jamaica national bobsled team, entered their respective competitions with little experience and less chance of winning any medals. However, the determination of these novices to compete, in spite of being outmatched by their competitors, won the affection of the spectators and the media alike, which sometimes overshadowed the actual winners. They were hailed as demonstrating the true Olympic spirit as playing for the simple thrill of competition. The story of the bobsledding team was made into a 1993 Disney comedy film called Cool Runnings that was directed by Jon Turteltaub.
• The Super G alpine skiing event for both men and women made its Olympic debut.
• Curling, freestyle skiing, short track speed skating and Paralympic skiing were demonstration events.
• For the first time, the Winter Olympics were extended to 16 days, the long track speed skating events were held indoors on a covered rink, the alpine events took place on artificial snow, and warm Chinook winds not only threatened to cancel events, but sent a ski jumper flying into a camera tower.
• For the first time since the 1960 Winter Olympics, the Closing Ceremony was held in the same main Olympic stadium as the Opening Ceremony at McMahon Stadium.