First Olympics since 1972 with no boycotts
First appearance of a unified German team since 1964
First time professional basketball players allowed (USA Dream Team)
First time badminton was an official Olympic sport
First time baseball was an official Olympic sport
First time roller hockey was a demonstration sport
First time women's judo was an official Olympic sport
First appearance of former Soviet republics as Unified Team
South Africa returned after decades of apartheid ban