The 100 Most Memorable Olympic Moments of All Time

The 100 Most Memorable Olympic Moments of All Time

Welcome to "The 100 Most Memorable Olympic Moments of All Time," a remarkable journey through the annals of Olympic history. Join us as we relive the triumphs, heartbreaks, and awe-inspiring feats that have captivated the world's attention and left an indelible mark on the Olympic Games.

Within this carefully curated list, we delve into the rich tapestry of athletic excellence and human drama that has unfolded across multiple generations of Olympic competition. From the early days of the modern Olympics to the present, these moments showcase the resilience, skill, and sheer determination of the world's greatest athletes.

Prepare to be transported to Berlin in 1936, where Jesse Owens defied prejudice and won four gold medals, challenging the notion of Aryan supremacy. Witness the emotional journey of Muhammad Ali as he triumphantly lit the Olympic cauldron in Atlanta in 1996, a symbol of resilience and courage.

Experience the sheer perfection of Nadia Comaneci as she scored the first-ever perfect 10 in gymnastics at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, captivating audiences with her grace and precision. Feel the adrenaline surge as Usain Bolt blazes through the track, breaking world records and captivating the world with his unparalleled speed.

From iconic moments like Cathy Freeman's stirring victory in the 400m at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, symbolizing unity and reconciliation, to Kerri Strug's courageous vault on an injured ankle at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, epitomizing the Olympic spirit, these moments represent the very essence of the Games.

Marvel at the aquatic prowess of Michael Phelps as he secures an unprecedented eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, pushing the boundaries of human achievement. Be inspired by the gravity-defying performances of Simone Biles, whose unparalleled athleticism and determination have redefined the limits of gymnastics.

Throughout this journey, we celebrate the historic achievements of athletes from various disciplines and nations, each leaving an indelible mark on Olympic history. From legendary track and field athletes like Jesse Owens and Carl Lewis to swimming icons such as Michael Phelps and Mark Spitz, these athletes have become symbols of sporting excellence.

So, get ready to immerse yourself in the emotional highs and lows, the record-breaking triumphs, and the iconic moments that have defined the Olympic Games. "The 100 Most Memorable Olympic Moments of All Time" invites you to witness the extraordinary, relish the human spirit, and celebrate the enduring legacy of the greatest sporting event on Earth.

1Jesse Owens wins four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics (Track and Field)


2Muhammad Ali lighting the Olympic cauldron at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics (Boxing)


3Nadia Comaneci scores a perfect 10 in gymnastics at the 1976 Montreal Olympics (Gymnastics)


4Usain Bolt breaks the world record in the 100m sprint at the 2008 Beijing Olympics (Track and Field)


5Cathy Freeman wins gold in the 400m at the 2000 Sydney Olympics (Track and Field)


6Kerri Strug's vault on an injured ankle at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics (Gymnastics)


7Michael Phelps wins eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics (Swimming)


8Simone Biles' gravity-defying performances at the 2016 Rio Olympics (Gymnastics)


9Abebe Bikila wins the marathon barefoot at the 1960 Rome Olympics (Athletics)


10Usain Bolt's iconic "Lightning Bolt" celebration after winning gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics (Track and Field)


11Katarina Witt's figure skating performances at the 1984 and 1988 Winter Olympics (Figure Skating)


12Michael Johnson's record-breaking 200m run at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics (Track and Field)


13The "Miracle on Ice" as the USA hockey team defeats the Soviet Union at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics (Ice Hockey)


14Derek Redmond finishing the 400m race despite injury at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics (Track and Field)


15Simone Manuel becoming the first African-American woman to win an individual swimming gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics (Swimming)


16Mary Lou Retton's perfect 10 on the vault to win the all-around gymnastics gold at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics (Gymnastics)


17Mark Spitz's seven gold medals in swimming at the 1972 Munich Olympics (Swimming)


18The Dream Team's dominance in basketball at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics (Basketball)


19Carl Lewis matching Jesse Owens' four gold medals in track and field at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics (Track and Field)


20Greg Louganis' perfect dives despite hitting his head on the springboard at the 1988 Seoul Olympics (Diving)


21Simone Biles' historic triple-double on the floor exercise at the 2019 World Championships (Gymnastics)


22Nadia Comaneci's perfect 10 on the uneven bars at the 1976 Montreal Olympics (Gymnastics)


23Bob Beamon's world record long jump at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics (Track and Field)


24Kristin Armstrong winning her third consecutive gold in cycling time trial at the 2016 Rio Olympics (Cycling)


25Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards' inspiring underdog story in ski jumping at the 1988 Calgary Olympics (Ski Jumping)


26Wilma Rudolph winning three gold medals in sprint events at the 1960 Rome Olympics (Track and Field)


27Alain Bernard's thrilling comeback in the 100m freestyle swimming final at the 2008 Beijing Olympics (Swimming)


28Michael Phelps' final swim and 23rd gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics (Swimming)


29Florence Griffith Joyner's world records in the 100m and 200m sprints at the 1988 Seoul Olympics (Track and Field)


30Usain Bolt's "double triple" gold medals in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay at the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Olympics (Track and Field)


31The Jamaican bobsled team's inspiring journey to the 1988 Calgary Olympics (Bobsleigh)


32Nadia Comaneci becoming the youngest gymnast to win the all-around title at the 1976 Montreal Olympics (Gymnastics)


33Usain Bolt's world record-breaking 9.58 seconds in the 100m sprint at the 2009 Berlin World Championships (Track and Field)


34Esther Vergeer's unbeaten streak of 470 consecutive wheelchair tennis matches won from 2003 to 2012 (Wheelchair Tennis)


35Michael Johnson's golden shoes and record-breaking 400m run at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics (Track and Field)


36Usain Bolt's "triple-triple" gold medals in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay at the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Olympics (Track and Field)


37The Jamaican women's sprint dominance with Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Veronica Campbell-Brown (Track and Field)


38Carl Lewis' historic long jump victory at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics (Track and Field)


39Paavo Nurmi's nine gold medals in middle and long-distance running at the 1920, 1924, and 1928 Olympics (Track and Field)


40Michelle Kwan's graceful figure skating performances at multiple Winter Olympics (Figure Skating)


41Usain Bolt's world record-breaking 19.19 seconds in the 200m sprint at the 2009 Berlin World Championships (Track and Field)


42Dan Jansen's emotional victory in speed skating after multiple Olympic disappointments at the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics (Speed Skating)


43Kerri Walsh Jennings and Misty May-Treanor's domination in beach volleyball, winning three consecutive gold medals from 2004 to 2012 (Beach Volleyball)


44Wilma Rudolph overcoming childhood polio to win three gold medals in sprint events at the 1960 Rome Olympics (Track and Field)


45Eric Moussambani's inspirational swim in the 100m freestyle despite minimal training at the 2000 Sydney Olympics (Swimming)


46The 1992 U.S. men's basketball team, known as the "Dream Team," featuring basketball legends like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird (Basketball)


47Bob Beamon's legendary long jump at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics (Track and Field)


48Usain Bolt's iconic "To the World" pose after winning gold at the 2012 London Olympics (Track and Field)


49Emil Zatopek's unprecedented victories in the 5,000m, 10,000m, and marathon races at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics (Track and Field)


50Michael Phelps' relay team out-touching France by 0.01 seconds to win gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay at the 2008 Beijing Olympics (Swimming)


51The United States' "Miracle on Ice" hockey victory over the Soviet Union at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics (Ice Hockey)


52Cassius Clay (later known as Muhammad Ali) winning gold in boxing at the 1960 Rome Olympics (Boxing)


53Michael Phelps breaking Mark Spitz's record for most gold medals won in a single Olympics at the 2008 Beijing Olympics (Swimming)


54Simon Ammann's surprise double gold medals in ski jumping at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics (Ski Jumping)


55Franz Klammer's thrilling downhill ski run to win gold at the 1976 Innsbruck Olympics (Alpine Skiing)


56Florence Griffith Joyner's iconic one-legged running suit and record-breaking sprints at the 1988 Seoul Olympics (Track and Field)


57Simone Manuel becoming the first African-American woman to win an individual Olympic gold medal in swimming at the 2016 Rio Olympics (Swimming)


58Haile Gebrselassie's world records and gold medals in long-distance running at multiple Olympics (Track and Field)


59The United States' victory in the "Miracle on the Mat" wrestling match against Russia at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics (Wrestling)


60Gabby Douglas' historic all-around gymnastics gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics (Gymnastics)


61Usain Bolt's record-breaking 9.63 seconds in the 100m sprint at the 2012 London Olympics (Track and Field)


62The 2004 Greek men's basketball team's surprise gold medal victory at the Athens Olympics (Basketball)


63Fanny Blankers-Koen winning four gold medals in track and field at the 1948 London Olympics (Track and Field)


64Michael Phelps' domination in swimming, winning 23 Olympic gold medals throughout his career (Swimming)


65Eddie Eagan becoming the first and only athlete to win gold in both the Summer and Winter Olympics in different sports (Boxing and Bobsleigh)


66Derek Redmond's emotional finish with his father's help after tearing his hamstring in the 400m semifinals at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics (Track and Field)


67Wilma Rudolph's inspiring journey from polio-stricken child to three-time Olympic gold medalist at the 1960 Rome Olympics (Track and Field)


68The Netherlands' women's hockey team winning three consecutive Olympic gold medals from 2008 to 2016 (Hockey)


69Chris Hoy's six gold medals in track cycling at multiple Olympics (Cycling)


70Michael Phelps' final individual race and 13th individual gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics (Swimming)


71Simon Ammann's double gold medals in ski jumping at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics (Ski Jumping)


72Joan Benoit's gold medal in the first women's Olympic marathon at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics (Athletics)


73The "Magnificent Seven" U.S. women's gymnastics team winning the team gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics (Gymnastics)


74Emil Zatopek's unique training methods and record-breaking performances in long-distance running at multiple Olympics (Track and Field)


75The United States' "Do you believe in miracles?" victory over the Soviet Union in the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics (Ice Hockey)


76Paula Radcliffe's world record-setting marathon run at the 2003 London Marathon (Athletics)


77Dan O'Brien's comeback after failing to qualify for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics in decathlon, winning gold in 1996 (Athletics)


78Alexander Karelin's undefeated wrestling career and three Olympic gold medals (Wrestling)


79Michael Phelps' thrilling victory by one-hundredth of a second in the 100m butterfly at the 2008 Beijing Olympics (Swimming)


80Steve Redgrave's five consecutive Olympic gold medals in rowing from 1984 to 2000 (Rowing)


81The "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs at the 1973 Houston Astrodome (Tennis)


82Yelena Isinbayeva's dominance in pole vaulting, setting multiple world records and winning two Olympic gold medals (Athletics)


83Wilma Rudolph overcoming childhood polio to become a triple gold medalist at the 1960 Rome Olympics (Track and Field)


84Kristin Armstrong's third consecutive gold medal in cycling time trial at the 2016 Rio Olympics (Cycling)


85The United States' "Perfect 10" women's gymnastics team winning gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics (Gymnastics)


86Mo Farah's long-distance running dominance, winning multiple Olympic gold medals in the 5,000m and 10,000m races (Track and Field)


87The Soviet Union's basketball team controversially defeating the United States in the 1972 Munich Olympics (Basketball)


88Usain Bolt's mesmerizing world record-breaking 19.30 seconds in the 200m sprint at the 2008 Beijing Olympics (Track and Field)


89The Jamaican women's bobsled team's groundbreaking debut at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics (Bobsleigh)


90Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett's rivalry in middle-distance running at the 1980 Moscow Olympics (Track and Field)


91The United States' women's soccer team winning the inaugural Olympic gold in 1996 and subsequent gold medals (Soccer)


92Haile Gebrselassie's captivating rivalry with Kenenisa Bekele in long-distance running at multiple Olympics (Track and Field)


93The Netherlands' men's hockey team's thrilling gold medal victory in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics (Hockey)


94Kristin Otto's historic six gold medals in swimming at the 1988 Seoul Olympics (Swimming)


95Cathy Freeman's gold medal run in the 400m at the 2000 Sydney Olympics (Track and Field)


96Kipchoge Keino's inspiring victories in middle-distance running at the 1968 and 1972 Olympics (Track and Field)


97Ma Long's table tennis dominance, winning multiple Olympic gold medals (Table Tennis)


98Alina Zagitova's record-breaking performance in figure skating at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics (Figure Skating)


99Usain Bolt's world record-breaking 37.10 seconds in the 4x100m relay at the 2012 London Olympics (Track and Field)


100The United States' women's gymnastics team's "Fierce Five" winning gold at the 2012 London Olympics (Gymnastics)