Every four years, elite athletes from around the globe gather in one place to test their skills. As with other things started by the Greeks, the Olympic games have evolved over the years, but their purpose remains. These two weeks of competition are the culmination of years of preparation, that lead to some incredible moments that have us talking for a long time afterwards. Moments like these:
Berlin 1936- Jesse Owens
In Berlin, the epicenter of Hitler's growing regime, the 1936 Olympics were supposed to showcase Aryan superiority. Instead, Jesse Owens won four gold medals, more than anyone else at the games. His dominance as a black man put real strain on the Nazi agenda.
Mexico City 1968- Bob Beamon
Records are made to be broken, right? When Beamon jumped 29 ft. 2 and 1/2 inches, he broke the long jump world record by almost two feet. His world record stood for 23 years and it is still the Olympic record.
Mexico City 1968- Tommie Smith and John Carlos
Having a large audience watching, can lead to some athletes trying to raise awareness for certain topics. Such was the case when Americans Tommie Smith and John Carlos wore black gloves to deliver the Black Power salute from their places on the podium during the National Anthem.
Mexico City 1968- Dick Fosbury
1968 was a big year for US Olympics! Dick Fosbury took the team to new heights by introducing the Fosbury Flop technique in the high jump. Because of harsh landing conditions, high jumpers had to land on their feet, but with new foam landing pads, Fosbury and others were able to be more inventive with the way they cleared the jump. The Fosbury Flop is the one still used today, so impress your friends while watching the Track and Field events this year.
Los Angeles 1984- Mary Lou Retton
USA Gymnastics has not always been the competition powerhouse of today. Case in point, Mary Lou Retton was the first American woman to win Gold in the all-around gymnastics competition. A record that stood until 2004! She won by scoring two perfect 10s, one on the floor routine and one for her vault. Even more amazing, she won five medals in 1984 only five weeks after knee surgery.
Seoul 1988- Florence "Flo-Jo" Griffith Joyner
Growing up in California, Florence Griffith began running at an early age and kept going all through college. She qualified for the 1980 Olympics that the USA boycotted and even won a silver medal in the 1984 games in LA. But after graduating from UCLA and switching coaches, Flo-Jo became the odds-on favorite to win gold in 1988. She did just that, setting World Records that still stand today in the 100m and 200m sprints. She was also part of the 4x100 relay team that won gold and the 4x400 silver medal relay.
Atlanta 1996- Magnificent Seven
All eyes were on the seven women who made up the USA Gymnastics team: Shannon Miller, Dominique Moceanu, Dominique Dawes, Kerri Strug, Amy Chow, Amanda Borden, and Jaycie Phelps. This group, known as the Magnificent Seven, would become the first American team to win all-around gold. Their medal-winning performance included the dramatic one-legged vault from Kerri Strug.
Beijing 2008- Michael Phelps
The 2008 Olympic games were actually the third for "The Baltimore Bullet." Phelps' grueling schedule took up a lot of airtime during the broadcasts. Phelps, with the help of his teammates during the relay events, would win eight gold medals that summer. He broke the record Mark Spitz set in 1972.
Rio 2016- Katie Ledecky
We stay in the pool with Katie Ledecky, who won four gold medals and one silver, becoming the most decorated female athlete at the games. She was the second most-decorated Olympian behind, you guessed it, Michael Phelps. In London, she won four more medals including two gold. Her 22 titles between the Olympics and World Aquatics Championships makes her the most decorated female swimmer ever.
Rio 2016- Simone Biles
The GOAT. The face of Team USA. The athlete that most other athletes are excited to see at the Olympics. Simone Biles burst onto the scene in Rio, winning four gold medals and a bronze. She would shine a light on mental health when she withdrew from the competition during the 2020 games, even though she would win two more medals. Between the Olympics and World Championships, Biles has 37 medals- or the same number as the entire men's team from China. She has five moves named after her. In 2024, she will become the fourth female gymnast to compete in three Olympic games.