Athletics at the 1988 Seoul Summer Games:

The 1986 European Champion, and 1987 World Champion, was Switzerland's Werner Günthör. But he had big challengers in East Germany's Ulf Timmermann and Udo Beyer and America's Randy Barnes. Timmermann was the world record holder with 23.06 (75-8) set in May 1988. Günthör opened in round one with 21.45 (70-4½) but Timmermann took the lead at the end of the round with 22.02 (72-3). That led thru round two, although Günthör improved to 21.59 (70-10). He improved again in the next round with 21.70 (71-2½) but Timmermann opened up a bit with 22.16 (72-8½). Beyer moved into third in round two with 21.40 (70-2½) while Barnes languished in fourth after three rounds, throwing only 20.72 (67-11¾) in the second. But he improved to 21.31 (69-11), but it did not improve his position. Round five saw Günthör improve to 21.99 (72-1¾), still in second, and Timmermann again improved his mark with 22.29 (73-1¾). Beyer and Günthör were done, having recorded their best marks, and seemingly securing medals. Then Barnes unleased an Olympic record 22.39 (73-5½) in the final round to move into the lead ahead of Timmermann, pushing Beyer to fourth. Timmermann was the last thrower of the competition, and responded with an Olympic record of 22.47 (73-8¾) to win the gold medal. The top three marks have still never been surpassed at the Olympics, possibly the victim of more stringent drug testing. Athletics historian Richard Hymans has called this "the greatest shot competition ever".