1998 Goodwill Games

Last updated
1998 Goodwill Games
GoodwillGames98logo.png
Official logo of the games.
Host city New York City, New York
CountryUSA
Nations66
Athletes1500
Opening19 July 1998 (1998-07-19)
Closing2 August 1998 (1998-08-02)

The 1998 Goodwill Games was the fourth edition of the international sports competition the Goodwill Games, which were created by Ted Turner in reaction to the political troubles surrounding the Olympic Games of the 1980s. The competition was held in and around New York City in the United States from July 19 to August 2, 1998. Approximately 1,500 athletes from 66 countries participated, competing in 15 sports. [1]

Contents

The United States topped the medal table of the games with 41 gold medals and 132 medals in total. In second place was Russia, with 35 gold medals and 94 medals in total. Cuba finished in third place, with 8 gold medals and 17 medals in total.

Athletes who won gold medals at the 1998 Goodwill Games include Michelle Kwan, Dominique Moceanu, Michael Johnson, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Dan O'Brien, Félix Savón, Jenny Thompson and Alexander Popov. [2] Approximately 1,500 athletes from more of 60 countries participated, competing in 15 sports. [1]

Two world records were broken at these Games, one by the American relay in the 4×400 meters in athletics, and the other by South African swimmer Penny Heyns in the 50 meters breaststroke. [3] [4] The event is also notable for a training accident involving Chinese gymnast Sang Lan, which injured her spinal cord and left her partially paralyzed. [2]

Sports

Venues

Some events were held in New York City, while many were held in nearby suburbs in Long Island, including Uniondale. [2] [4] [5]

Participating nations

The following nations were invited to the games: [6]

Medal table

PlaceNationGold medal icon.svgSilver medal icon.svgBronze medal icon.svgTotal
1Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 414942132
2Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 35293094
3Flag of Cuba.svg  Cuba 85417
4Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 77620
5Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 54413
6Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 331016
7Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 26210
8Flag of Belarus.svg  Belarus 2529
9Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica 2259
10Flag of Iran.svg  Iran 2114
11Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 2013
12Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 2013
13Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2002
14Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 15410
15Flag of Romania.svg  Romania 1359
16Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg  Trinidad and Tobago 1102
17Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 1012
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 1012
Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan 1012
20Flag of Algeria.svg  Algeria 1001
Flag of Mozambique.svg  Mozambique 1001
Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 1001
23Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria 0224
24Flag of France.svg  France 0213
25Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 0202
26Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey 0156
27Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco 0112
Flag of Poland.svg  Poland 0112
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 0112
30Flag of the Bahamas.svg  Bahamas 0101
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 0101
Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 0101
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 0101
World All-Stars (Cycling)0101
35Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 0011
Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia 0011
Flag of Ecuador.svg  Ecuador 0011
Flag of Greece.svg  Greece 0011
Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary 0011
Flag of Iceland.svg  Iceland 0011
Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania 0011
Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 0011
Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines 0011

References

  1. 1 2 "Goodwill Games Fact Sheet". Goodwill Games. Archived from the original on 18 December 2000. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 Moving on: Despite red ink, Games head to Brisbane and maybe Lake Placid Archived 2012-11-14 at the Wayback Machine , CNN/Sports Illustrated, August 16, 1998
  3. Therin, Frederic (August 29, 2001). "Enfants de la guerre froide, les Goodwill Games cherchent encore leur public". Le Monde (in French). Paris: Groupe Le Monde. Archived from the original on 2007-06-15. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  4. 1 2 Bell, Daniel (2003). Encyclopedia of International Games (pgs. 164–168). McFarland and Company, Inc. Publishers, Jefferson, North Carolina. ISBN   0-7864-1026-4.
  5. "Goodwill Games 1998: Sports and Venues". Archived from the original on 2012-08-16.
  6. "Potential Participating Countries". Goodwill Games. June 4, 1998. Archived from the original on 12 January 2001. Retrieved March 11, 2022.