The Most Iconic Summer Olympics Moments in History

Every four years, the Summer Olympics take over the television, mesmerizing viewers with the athletic ability of the top athletes from around the world. Even nonsports fans who would never set foot in a stadium sports event tune in to see the Olympic athletes strut their stuff and own their events. The Olympics is one of the few sporting events that has universal appeal and a truly international audience.

Throughout the years, the Summer Games have added and removed events, but the thing that stays the same is the incredible commitment to sportsmanship and the integrity of the participants. The games and the competitions should always be the stars of the show, but some years, the international competition was overshadowed by controversy, and what should have been a wholesome event took an unexpected turn. From surprising wins and losses to sudden injuries, you never know what will happen at the games.

However, the controversy goes beyond just sports. There have been international protests, terrorist attacks, and even kidnappings that the whole world watched live in real time. These historical events should not be lost in the history of the games. Let’s explore the iconic Summer Olympic moments in history and look at the effect they had on the games and the athletes. (If you enjoy reading about the Olympics, check out the oldest Olympic athletes in sports history .)

The Original GOAT at Stockholm, 1912

Before there was Michael Jordan, Walter Peyton, and Carl Lewis, there was Jim Thorpe, the original G.O.A.T. — or Greatest of All Time. Jim Thorpe will always be known as one of the greatest athletes ever. He ran track and played football, baseball, and basketball but is known best for competing in the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm where he won not one but two Olympic gold medals in the pentathlon and the decathlon.

What makes his story stand out, though, besides the fact that he was a talented athlete, is that he was the first Native American to take home the gold for the U.S., and not only that, but he did it without his own shoes. Apparently, someone stole his shoes, or he misplaced them. It’s unclear exactly what happened, but he competed on his second day of the decathlon with two different shoes of different sizes, one of which was found in the trash. He wore a mix of socks on one foot because one shoe was too big, and despite this, he still won.

Thorpe’s wins were iconic, but unfortunately, his victory was shortly lived as a year after the Olympics, the news broke that he had been paid to play baseball a couple of years before the Olympics, breaking what at the time was a strict rule about only amateur athletes being eligible to participate, so he was disqualified and lost his medals. Despite this technicality, Thorpe went on to lead an extraordinary life playing baseball and basketball professionally. He married three times, had eight kids, and even had a small town named after him with a statue. Hollywood also made his life story into a film, in which he had a small cameo.

The Dream Team at Barcelona, 1992

In the city of Barcelona, at the 1992 Summer Olympic Games, the “Dream Team” came together and dominated Olympic basketball like it had never been dominated before. For the first time ever, professional basketball players from the NBA competed in the games. The team was led by Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Scottie Pippen, Clyde Drexler, Chris Mullin, Patrick Ewing, Christian Laettner, John Stockton, and David Robinson.

The Dream team won all eight of their games and took home the gold medal. They were the talk of Barcelona and are still considered one of the best-ever basketball teams to play at the Olympics.

Long Shot at Mexico City, 1968

There was a lot going on in 1968, from political unrest to protests. The Civil Rights Movement was front and center. During the chaos of the time, one athlete made his mark and stood out from the crowd: Robert Beamon, a college track star who lost his scholarship prior to the Olympics because he and his fellow teammates from the University of Texas decided to boycott the meet with Brigham Young University due to the Mormon religion’s stance on Black people. It should be noted that this was shortly after the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. The courageous move was met with criticism, and he was cut from the team and lost his scholarship.

The determined athlete kept going and training, eventually earning a much-deserved spot on the Olympic team, where he made history. Beamon set the record for the long jump that was held for 23 years. He jumped so far that the officials had to measure it manually with a measuring tape. So, just how far did he jump? A whopping 8.90 meters — or 29.25 feet.

Jesse Owens at Berlin, 1936

The 1936 Summer Olympics took place in Berlin. It was a unique time in history as Adolf Hitler had taken over as chancellor of Germany and was starting to spout some of his theories on Aryan nationalism and the superiority of the white race. It was against this historical backdrop that Black athlete Jesse Owens took the Olympic stage, winning four gold medals in the 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay, and long jump. The wins proved the exact opposite of Hitler’s garbage propaganda. And since this was the first Olympics ever to be televised, the entire country was watching; unfortunately, it had little effect on the things to come, as we all know the history of the Second World War, which started a few years later.

Tragedy and Technicalities at Munich, 1972

The 1972 Summer Olympics was the year that sportsmanship and international peace were broken at the games. The Munich Games will forever be remembered as the year that terrorists kidnapped and killed 11 Israeli athletes. The event was a shock to athletes and spectators alike as it was the first time a terrorist attack of this magnitude was televised and brought renewed attention to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.

The smaller controversy at the Munich games involved the Russian and American basketball teams. The two opponents were in a close contest for the gold when the officials, for whatever reason, extended the game by three seconds, which was enough time for the Soviets to get in one last basket, ultimately earning them the gold medal. The U.S. team was angry at the loss, which was their first basketball loss at the Olympics, and protested the medal ceremony, declining their silver medals and even filing an official complaint. According to Olympic historians, the referee and the timekeeper testified that the extra three seconds were illegal but the appeals committee denied their complaint, and the Russians kept their place as the gold medal winners.

Muhammad Ali at Rome 1960

The ultimate boxing legend that could “float like a butterfly and sting like a bee,” Muhammad Ali took the 1960 Summer Olympics by storm as he won the lightweight gold medal at the ripe age of 18 and beat out a European champion who had been previously undefeated.

At the time, the boxing legend went by his birth name, Cassius Clay, and this gold medal started him on his long journey as a champion fighter. Ali later wrote in his autobiography that he tossed the medal in the river, but some historians claim that he invented the story because he simply lost the medal. Either way, winning the gold medal so early in his long career cemented his star athleticism.

Fastest Woman in the World at Rome, 1960

Women began competing in the Olympics in 1900 but only in five categories: sailing, croquet, equestrianism, tennis, and golf. It wasn’t until 1928 that women were given the green light to compete in the 100- and 800-meter races, but that was the only year as the decision was reversed and the 800-meter was revoked.

In 1948, the 200-meter event was added, and in 1960, the 800-meter was reinstated for women. That was the year Wilma Rudolph won three gold medals in Italy in 1960 for the 100- and 200-meter races as well as the 4x100m relay. She made a name for herself as the first American woman to win three gold medals in a game. Wilma earned the nickname “The Tornado” for her accomplishments but the real significance of her wins was that the Games were televised. Her representation as a young, Black, female athlete was seen across the world, and she became an inspiration for young African-American girls.

Gymnast Kerri Strug at Atlanta, 1996

In the Atlanta Games in 1996, the American gymnastics team went home with the gold medal thanks to gymnast Kerri Strug. Strug was an integral part of the team and had helped lead the team to a bronze in the 1992 Olympics. But in 1996, Strug had a mishap on the vault and injured her ankle. Despite this injury, the accomplished gymnast pushed through the pain and gave one last attempt at the vault, where she scored a 9.712, leading the U.S. team to a close victory over the Russian and Romanian teams. She is proof of the will to win despite terrible circumstances.

A Perfect 10 at Montreal, 1976

Nadia Comenici became a gymnastics legend in Montreal at the 1976 Olympics. The petite athlete made history when she received seven perfect 10 scores, winning three gold medals. The talented gymnast was only 14 years old at the time and was praised for her grace and artfully composed routines. Her success brought much-needed attention to the sport, and schools across the country started gymnastics programs as young girls were clamoring to take gymnastics.

Greg Louganis at Seoul, 1988

American diver Greg Louganis is known as one of the best divers to ever participate in the sport. He won at the 1984 Olympics and the 1988 Olympics. But despite his talent and athleticism, the diver will be forever known as the one who brought HIV and AIDS into public discussion.

Louganis was diagnosed with HIV prior to the 1988 Olympics and decided to keep his diagnosis to himself because he was well aware of the fear surrounding his illness. But he had an accident and hit his head on the diving board, and the bloody injury needed stitches. At the time, not much was known about the transmission of HIV, and Louganis did not share his diagnosis with the public until 1995 when he talked about it in his book and on television with Barbara Walters. He received criticism from fellow athletes, and his story unfortunately taints his long career as a diver.

Protests at Mexico City, 1968

The 1968 Olympics were held in Mexico City and were the first games hosted in a Spanish-speaking country, which should have been a good thing, but the games were overshadowed by protests and tragedies. Before the opening ceremonies, there were massive political protests by university students across Mexico protesting the expensive and lavish Olympic installations and the excessive amount of money the government poured into the games. The students and faculty wanted to see real change in the third-world country that was putting on a show on a first-world stage.

Months before the Olympics, there were regular protests, and just 10 days before opening ceremonies, the Oct. 2 massacre took place as the police violently attacked protesters, killing 300. Apart from the violence in Mexico, the U.S. was deep in the Civil Rights Movement, and the spring of 1968 saw civil rights leader the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. assassinated, and months later, Robert Kennedy was assassinated. Two American athletes protested the political unrest stateside by raising their fists clad in black gloves for freedom during the national anthem.

US Women’s Soccer at Atlanta, 1996

Soccer has never been that big in the U.S., but all that changed in the 1996 Olympic Games when women’s soccer was included for the first time, and the U.S. team won the gold. This was a big moment for women’s soccer, which had long been popular internationally but not so much in the U.S. In the following Olympics, the U.S. women’s team lost to Norway but, in 2004, the United States women’s team led by Abby Wambach dominated again. Her dramatic last-minute goal was celebrated internationally as it earned the gold over Brazil.

Unfortunately, Wambach was injured early in the 2008 Olympics and remained out of the game until the following Olympics. In London’s games in 2012, she made a comeback and led the U.S. women’s team to another gold medal. Of course, she was part of a team, and the win was a team effort, but Wambach is celebrated for her athleticism and dedication to the game, making her a standout player. These days, Wambach is retired, but she continues to be a voice of women’s soccer and inspire a new generation of players to take up the sport through her books and podcasts with her wife, author Glennon Doyle.

Mark Spitz Makes Swimming History at Munich, 1972

Before Michael Phelps hit the water, Mark Spitz won seven gold medals in the Summer Games in Munich. His wins were all the more impressive because he hit record time with each win. It wasn’t until 36 years later that Phelps broke Spitz’s record when he won eight gold medals.

Teen Diver Steals the Show at Berlin, 1936

Although this Olympics was televised, most people reading this weren’t around then to see when the 13-year-old American diver Marjorie Gestring won the gold in the 3-meter springboard event. At the time, she was the youngest female athlete ever to win an Olympic gold medal. Many speculated that she would have won more in the 1940s Olympics, but it was canceled due to the Second World War.

Later, in the Summer Games in Barcelona in 1992, 13-year-old Chinese diver Fu Mingxia won the gold for the 10-meter springboard. After Fu’s win, the Olympic Committee changed the rule that athletes must be at least 14 to compete due to excessive training.

First Female Tennis Winner at Paris, 1900

In 1900, women were only allowed to compete in tennis, croquet, sailing, golf, and equestrianism as they were deemed too delicate for other activities. That, of course, later changed, but in 1900, Charlotte Cooper was the first female to win the gold in singles tennis. Additionally, she was the first person with a disability to win a gold medal, as she was completely deaf at the age of 26, which was four years prior to her playing in the Olympics.

Ethiopian Barefoot Runner at Rome, 1960

The world was watching when Ethiopian runner Abebe Bikila won his first gold medal for a men’s marathon while running barefoot, which was unheard of at the time. Apparently, he got new shoes prior to the event but claimed they felt strange and felt that running barefoot would be the best decision for him, and he was right as he won the gold. Famously after his win, he surprised everyone by doing calisthenics, like touching his toes, claiming he still had another 15 to 20 kilometers in him. The skilled runner followed the 1960 Olympics by winning the same event in the 1964 games in Tokyo.

Bikila’s barefoot running inspired the Italian shoemaker Vibrams to create a five-finger/toe shoe. The company was later sued by Bikila’s family, but the judge ruled that the company was allowed to keep its name.

Runner Has a Run-In With Hitler at Berlin, 1936

The same year the Olympics were first televised, there was an American runner, Helen Stephens from Missouri, who stole the show with her athletic ability and a strange story about her run-in with the German chancellor, Adolf Hitler. Stephens won the gold for the 100 meters and the 4x 100-meter relay. She was a powerhouse, and because of her physical fitness and athletic skills, she was accused of being a man. At the time, being accused was enough to warrant a physical examination, and she was officially recognized as a woman.

After the race, Stephens shared a brief moment with Hitler. She told the Olympic historian David Wallechinsky that Hitler told her she should be on the German team because of her Aryan physical features. Stephens went on to say that Hitler pinched her bottom and was a little handsy and even invited her to stay with him, which she refused.

Last Korbut Flip at Munich, 1972

A lot happened in 1972 at the Munich games, and some of those events may have overshadowed gymnast Olga Korbut’s outstanding performance. The 17-year-old Belarusian gymnast is known for changing the nature of gymnastics, taking it from its origins in dance and ballet to acrobatics as she courageously was the first to try what was later known as the “Korbut flip.” Surprisingly, the dramatic move, which consists of a backflip from the standing position on the high bar, failed to win her gold, but she did win a silver for the uneven bars. She did win the gold for her balance beam, floor routine, and team competition but she is forever linked to the dangerous flip that brought gymnastics to the forefront.

Over the years, the flip has been modified and morphed by gymnasts, but the original flip was shocking at the time. In 1980, the flip was banned from the Olympics as it was too dangerous, which makes the legend of the flip so much more mysterious.

Sportsmanship at Rio, 2016

Perhaps one of the moments that truly embodies sportsmanship and the Olympic spirit happened in Rio de Janeiro at the 2016 Summer Games when two female runners, American Abbey D’Agostino and New Zealander Nikki Hamblin, were competing in the 5,000-meter race when they tripped and fell. Hamblin quickly got up and helped an injured D’Agostino to her feet, and both women finished the race. This singular event shows how competition can bring out the best in people and that sportsmanship is about more than winning. (For related reading, check out 27 of the biggest controversies in Summer Olympics history .)

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