Canoeing at the 1988 Summer Olympics – Men's K-1 1000 metres

The men's K-1 1000 metres event was an individual kayaking event conducted as part of the Canoeing at the 1988 Summer Olympics program.

The 19 competitors first raced in three heats on September 27. The top three finishers from each of the heats advanced directly to the semifinals. All remaining competitors competed in the repechages later that day.

Taking place on September 27, two repechages were held. The top three finishers in each repechage advanced to the semifinals.

Raced on September 29, the top three finishers from each of the three semifinals advanced to the final.

Boccara had qualified for the final, but withdrew and was replaced by Thompson for reasons not disclosed in the official report.

The final took place on October 1.

Korean officials told Barton he had won in a near dead heat while the scoreboard stated Davies had won. An International Canoe Federation (ICF) jury examined the finish line photo while the Australians celebrated and Barton prepared for the K-2 1000 m final. A few minutes later, ICF officials posted on the scoreboard that Barton beat Davies by 0.005 seconds. A stoic Davies later stated that "If that's the biggest disappointment in my life, I can handle it."

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