The men's pole vault at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea had an entry list of 21 competitors, with two qualifying groups (21 jumpers) before the final (15) took place on Wednesday September 28, 1988.
Three Soviet, French and American athletes made the final, but it was the Soviet block that dominated the event, sweeping the medals, with Sergey Bubka already the dominant vaulter. His world record 6.06 set two months earlier, has only been cleared by one other person, Steven Hooker, since. But while Bubka would vault in 3 more Olympics and would continue to dominate the World Championships with ultimately 6 consecutive wins, this would be the only Olympic medal he would achieve.
Records
These were the standing world and Olympic records (in metres) prior to the 1988 Summer Olympics.
The following Olympic record was set during this competition.