The men's eight competition at the 1988 Summer Olympics took place at Misari Regatta, South Korea.

[2] The event was won by West Germany, the nation's first victory (and first medal) in the men's eight since 1968.

In a photo finish for second place, the Soviet Union took silver over the United States.

[2] The United States had dominated the men's eight for four decades from the 1920s through the 1950s, but had not taken Olympic gold since 1964.

A victory in the 1987 World Rowing Championships set up the Americans as favourites to return to the top of the Olympic podium, particularly as the East Germans (a power in the event in the 1970s and 1980s) were not competing for the second straight Games.