TY - JOUR
T1 - The Seoul Olympics : economic miracle meets the world
AU - BRIDGES, Brian
N1 - Part of the research for this survey was supported by a research grant, DS06A3, from the Social Sciences Research and Postgraduate Studies Panel of Lingnan University, Hong Kong.
PY - 2008/12
Y1 - 2008/12
N2 - The 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul were a coming out party for South Korea – a culmination of its efforts to be recognized as an accomplished economic power and a serious international actor. The South Korean leadership undoubtedly looked for accelerated economic growth as well as heightened national consciousness (including awareness of sporting cultures). Yet, the run-up to and the actual hosting of the games also had a dramatic impact on both South Korea's domestic politics, as it became a factor in the struggle for democratization, and its external relations, most specifically with North Korea and its erstwhile allies. While there were economic benefits and a more subtle impact on South Korean society, national pride, collective memory and sporting culture, it is these political legacies that have been the most profound.
AB - The 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul were a coming out party for South Korea – a culmination of its efforts to be recognized as an accomplished economic power and a serious international actor. The South Korean leadership undoubtedly looked for accelerated economic growth as well as heightened national consciousness (including awareness of sporting cultures). Yet, the run-up to and the actual hosting of the games also had a dramatic impact on both South Korea's domestic politics, as it became a factor in the struggle for democratization, and its external relations, most specifically with North Korea and its erstwhile allies. While there were economic benefits and a more subtle impact on South Korean society, national pride, collective memory and sporting culture, it is these political legacies that have been the most profound.
U2 - 10.1080/09523360802438983
DO - 10.1080/09523360802438983
M3 - Journal Article (refereed)
SN - 0952-3367
VL - 25
SP - 1939
EP - 1952
JO - International Journal of the History of Sport
JF - International Journal of the History of Sport
IS - 14
ER -
