25.09.05.Today News : 1988 Seoul Olympic Controversy: Park Si-heon Returns Gold Medal to Roy Jones Jr. After 35 Years

1988 Seoul Olympic Controversy: Park Si-heon Returns Gold Medal to Roy Jones Jr. After 35 Years

📍 Stasi Documents Reveal East Germany’s Bribery of Judges, While Park’s Gesture Closes a Historic Chapter in Olympic Boxing

Park Si-heon, who won a controversial gold medal in the light middleweight final at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, has returned the medal to his opponent Roy Jones Jr. after 35 years. The act, revealed through a video posted by Jones, has reignited memories of one of the biggest judging scandals in Olympic history, further shedding light on East Germany’s bribery operation uncovered in later Stasi documents.

Park Si-heon, the figure at the center of the 1988 Seoul Olympics boxing final controversy over a wrong call, returned the gold medal to Roy Jones Jr. 35 years later.

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■ Medal Returned After 35 Years
On February 3, Jones shared a video on social media showing Park visiting his gym in Pensacola, Florida, two years earlier. Park, with the help of his son as an interpreter, told Jones, “This medal belongs to you, not me,” and handed it to him. Jones, overwhelmed, replied, “I can’t believe it,” visibly moved by the gesture.

■ Infamous 1988 Olympic Final
In the controversial final, Park was awarded a 3-2 decision despite Jones landing 86 scoring punches compared to Park’s 32. Both fighters appeared stunned by the decision, which led to worldwide criticism. Two of the judges were permanently banned, and the scandal severely damaged the credibility of Olympic boxing.

■ Stasi Files Expose East German Bribery
In 1996, documents released from East Germany’s secret police, the Stasi, revealed that East German officials had bribed Olympic judges to prevent the United States from surpassing them in the medal standings. The strategy worked, as East Germany finished second overall behind the Soviet Union, edging out the U.S. by just one gold medal. These revelations confirmed that political interference played a decisive role in one of the most infamous judging scandals in Olympic history.

■ Shadows Over Park’s Career and Life
Although Park wore the gold medal, the controversy left him unable to continue his boxing career under public criticism. In retirement, he struggled with depression and social withdrawal, later admitting in interviews that he sometimes regretted winning the gold and even battled suicidal thoughts. Meanwhile, Jones thrived as a professional, capturing multiple world titles and eventually being inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

■ A Gesture of Sportsmanship
Park repeatedly expressed his desire to return the medal, and in 2023 he finally traveled to the U.S. to personally hand it to Jones. Jones later wrote on social media, “In 1988, I was robbed of the gold medal in one of the biggest scandals in boxing history. But by the grace of God, the man who received it came to my hometown and returned it.”

■ Story Revisited Through Film
Park’s story was retold in the 2023 film Count, starring Jin Sun-kyu, which depicted his struggles and resilience. Today, Park serves as the head coach of the Seogwipo City Hall boxing team, mentoring young athletes.

One-line summary : Park Si-heon, central to the 1988 Seoul Olympic boxing controversy, returned his gold medal to Roy Jones Jr. after 35 years, while Stasi files revealed East Germany’s bribery behind the scandal.