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1960
Central Press/Getty Images
Muhammad Ali stood on the podium after winning the gold medal for light heavyweight boxing at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome.
02of 311960Bettmann ArchiveWilma Rudolph earned her title of “The Fastest Woman in the World” after she dominated the 1960 Summer Olympics and became the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field at the same Olympic games.
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Bettmann Archive
Wilma Rudolph earned her title of “The Fastest Woman in the World” after she dominated the 1960 Summer Olympics and became the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field at the same Olympic games.
03of 311960Allsport Hulton/ArchiveAmerican Otis Davis narrowly beat Germany’s Carl Kaufmann in the final of the 400m sprint at the 1960 Summer Olympics. Both men broken the Olympic and world records, coming in at 44.9 seconds.
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Allsport Hulton/Archive
American Otis Davis narrowly beat Germany’s Carl Kaufmann in the final of the 400m sprint at the 1960 Summer Olympics. Both men broken the Olympic and world records, coming in at 44.9 seconds.
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1964
Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
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1968
Smith and Carlos were suspended from Team USA and Norman was widely criticized in his home country and wasblacklisted from the sport.
06of 311968Bettmann Archive/Getty ImagesGymnast Vera Caslavska of Czechoslovakia became the first competitor in Olympic history to win four individual gold medals in one Olympics. Here, she shows off three gold and one silver.
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Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
Gymnast Vera Caslavska of Czechoslovakia became the first competitor in Olympic history to win four individual gold medals in one Olympics. Here, she shows off three gold and one silver.
07of 311972NCAA Photos via Getty ImagesAt the 1972 games in Munich, the United States basketball team protested the medal ceremony after their first loss in the sport since 1936. The loss is counted asone of the most dramatic momentsin Olympic history.
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1972
NCAA Photos via Getty Images
At the 1972 games in Munich, the United States basketball team protested the medal ceremony after their first loss in the sport since 1936. The loss is counted asone of the most dramatic momentsin Olympic history.
08of 311972Bettmann ArchiveGymnast Olga Korbut, 17, represented the Soviet Union at the 1972 games, earning three gold medals. She was the first gymnast to ever perform a back flip the uneven bars — known as the “Korbut Flip” — in which she stood on the high bar, executed a backflip, and grabbed onto the bar again. The trick was later banned because it was too risky.She was also the first Olympic gymnast to do a backward somersault on the beam.
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Gymnast Olga Korbut, 17, represented the Soviet Union at the 1972 games, earning three gold medals. She was the first gymnast to ever perform a back flip the uneven bars — known as the “Korbut Flip” — in which she stood on the high bar, executed a backflip, and grabbed onto the bar again. The trick was later banned because it was too risky.
She was also the first Olympic gymnast to do a backward somersault on the beam.
09of 311976Alamy Stock PhotoRussian weightlifter Vasily Alekseyev won the gold medal and set a new Olympic Record for the Soviet Union team in the super heavyweight weighlifting class during the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada. He set 80 world records and 81 Soviet records throughout his career.
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1976
Alamy Stock Photo
Russian weightlifter Vasily Alekseyev won the gold medal and set a new Olympic Record for the Soviet Union team in the super heavyweight weighlifting class during the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada. He set 80 world records and 81 Soviet records throughout his career.
10of 311976Bettmann ArchiveAt the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, 14-year-old Romanian gymnast Nadia Comăneci became the first gymnast in Olympic history to be awarded a perfect 10 for her uneven bars routine.She would manage to score six more perfect 10s and three gold medals.
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At the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, 14-year-old Romanian gymnast Nadia Comăneci became the first gymnast in Olympic history to be awarded a perfect 10 for her uneven bars routine.
She would manage to score six more perfect 10s and three gold medals.
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1984
STAFF/AFP/GettyImages
She became the first female gymnast outside of Eastern Europe to win that prize.
12of 311988Russell Cheyne/Allsport/Getty ImagesIn 1988, American Florence Griffith Joyner, a.k.a. Flo-Jo, broke records in the 100m and 200m race that still stand today: she is the fastest woman of all time!She won three gold medals at the summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.
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1988
Russell Cheyne/Allsport/Getty Images
In 1988, American Florence Griffith Joyner, a.k.a. Flo-Jo, broke records in the 100m and 200m race that still stand today: she is the fastest woman of all time!
She won three gold medals at the summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.
13of 311988Pascal Rondeau/Getty ImagesAt the 1988 Olympics, Team USA’s Greg Louganis hit his head on the board while diving. Even after that accident, he managed to qualify for the final and win the gold.
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Pascal Rondeau/Getty Images
At the 1988 Olympics, Team USA’s Greg Louganis hit his head on the board while diving. Even after that accident, he managed to qualify for the final and win the gold.
14of 311992Susan Ragan/AP/ShutterstockIn 1992, Team USA’s “Dream Team” included basketball powerhouses like Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, Larry Bird and more. The team marked the first time that current NBA players competed in the Olympics for the United States. They went home with the gold.The team was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 2009.
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1992
Susan Ragan/AP/Shutterstock
In 1992, Team USA’s “Dream Team” included basketball powerhouses like Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, Larry Bird and more. The team marked the first time that current NBA players competed in the Olympics for the United States. They went home with the gold.
The team was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 2009.
15of 311996Mike Powell/Getty ImagesIn one of the most memorable moments in Olympic history, USA gymnast Kerri Strug hurt herself during her first vault when she landed awkwardly on her ankle. Instead of sitting out of her second vault, she went for it, stuck the landing, andhelped Team USA snag their first-ever team gold medal.
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1996
Mike Powell/Getty Images
In one of the most memorable moments in Olympic history, USA gymnast Kerri Strug hurt herself during her first vault when she landed awkwardly on her ankle. Instead of sitting out of her second vault, she went for it, stuck the landing, andhelped Team USA snag their first-ever team gold medal.
16of 311996Al Tielemans/Sports Illustrated/Getty; Inset: Mike Coppola/WireImageIn 1996, the USA women’s gymnastic’s team was dubbed the “Magnificent Seven” for a reason!After her teammate’s injury, Dominique Dawes took her place in the individual floor exercise and won the bronze. In doing so, the 19-year-old made history as the first Black American to win an Olympic medal in gymnastics.
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Al Tielemans/Sports Illustrated/Getty; Inset: Mike Coppola/WireImage
In 1996, the USA women’s gymnastic’s team was dubbed the “Magnificent Seven” for a reason!
After her teammate’s injury, Dominique Dawes took her place in the individual floor exercise and won the bronze. In doing so, the 19-year-old made history as the first Black American to win an Olympic medal in gymnastics.
17of 312000Getty ImagesAt the 2000 summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, Cathy Freeman became the first Australian Aboriginal person to win an individual Olympic gold medal when she won the women’s 400m race.
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2000
Getty Images
At the 2000 summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, Cathy Freeman became the first Australian Aboriginal person to win an individual Olympic gold medal when she won the women’s 400m race.
18of 312000Mike Powell /AllsportIn 2000, Eric Moussambani was a wildcard entry for Equatorial Guinea. The athlete had learned how to swim just eight months prior to his Olympic showing and had never seen an Olympic-sized swimming pool before competing.In an unlikely turn of events, his competitors were disqualified for false starts and he was the only one in the pool during his heat. He completed the race with a time of 1:52.72, and set the record for the slowest time in Olympic history.
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Mike Powell /Allsport
In 2000, Eric Moussambani was a wildcard entry for Equatorial Guinea. The athlete had learned how to swim just eight months prior to his Olympic showing and had never seen an Olympic-sized swimming pool before competing.
In an unlikely turn of events, his competitors were disqualified for false starts and he was the only one in the pool during his heat. He completed the race with a time of 1:52.72, and set the record for the slowest time in Olympic history.
19of 312004PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP via Getty ImagesIt’s hard to believe it now, but even Michael Phelps had to start somewhere! After competing at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 at 15 years old, the now-legendary U.S. swimmer won his first medal at the 2004 games in Athens — and he didn’t stop there. Phelps won eight medals, six of them gold, and tied the record for most medals in a single Olympics.
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2004
PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP via Getty Images
It’s hard to believe it now, but even Michael Phelps had to start somewhere! After competing at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 at 15 years old, the now-legendary U.S. swimmer won his first medal at the 2004 games in Athens — and he didn’t stop there. Phelps won eight medals, six of them gold, and tied the record for most medals in a single Olympics.
20of 312004David Ashdown/Getty ImagesIn 2004, Team USA’s Kerri Walsh Jennings and Misty May-Treanor won the gold medal in women’s beach volleyball without losing a single set in all seven of their matches. The duo would go on to win gold together again in both 2008 and 2012.
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David Ashdown/Getty Images
In 2004, Team USA’s Kerri Walsh Jennings and Misty May-Treanor won the gold medal in women’s beach volleyball without losing a single set in all seven of their matches. The duo would go on to win gold together again in both 2008 and 2012.
21of 312008In 2008, Jamaica’s Usain Bolt burst onto the scene (and lived up to his last name), winning gold and breaking the world record with a smile on his face.
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2008
In 2008, Jamaica’s Usain Bolt burst onto the scene (and lived up to his last name), winning gold and breaking the world record with a smile on his face.
22of 312008Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesIn 2008, the world was introduced to Team USA gymnastics powerhouse Shawn Johnson. The 16-year-old took home a gold for her beam performance and silvers in women’s team, women’s individual all-around and women’s floor exercise.
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Jamie Squire/Getty Images
In 2008, the world was introduced to Team USA gymnastics powerhouse Shawn Johnson. The 16-year-old took home a gold for her beam performance and silvers in women’s team, women’s individual all-around and women’s floor exercise.
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MARTIN BUREAU/AFP via Getty Images
24of 312008FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty ImagesIn Beijing in 2008, the “Dream Team” became the “Redeem Team,” and their goal was to earn the United States the gold medal after they came up short in the 2004 games. Kobe Bryant was the team captain, leading the squad to a gold medal win.Other teammates included Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.
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FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images
In Beijing in 2008, the “Dream Team” became the “Redeem Team,” and their goal was to earn the United States the gold medal after they came up short in the 2004 games. Kobe Bryant was the team captain, leading the squad to a gold medal win.
Other teammates included Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.
25of 312012Michael Phelps.MARTIN BUREAU/AFP via Getty ImagesIn 2012, Michael Phelps again dominated the Olympics, increasing his medal count to 22 and setting a new record for the most Olympic medals.
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2012
Michael Phelps.MARTIN BUREAU/AFP via Getty Images
In 2012, Michael Phelps again dominated the Olympics, increasing his medal count to 22 and setting a new record for the most Olympic medals.
26of 312012Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesDubbed as the Fierce Five, the 2012 U.S. women’s gymnastics team consisted of McKayla Maroney, Jordyn Wieber, Gabrielle Douglas, Aly Raisman and Kyla Ross.The Fierce Five followed in the footsteps of The Magnificent Seven, becoming the second U.S. gymnastics team to win the team competition.The women provided plenty of entertainment at the games: Douglas became the first African American to win a gold medal in the individual all-around, Maroney became a meme when she pulled a disappointed face after winning the silver medal on vault and Raisman won the team a bronze on beam and gold on floor exercise.
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Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Dubbed as the Fierce Five, the 2012 U.S. women’s gymnastics team consisted of McKayla Maroney, Jordyn Wieber, Gabrielle Douglas, Aly Raisman and Kyla Ross.
The Fierce Five followed in the footsteps of The Magnificent Seven, becoming the second U.S. gymnastics team to win the team competition.
The women provided plenty of entertainment at the games: Douglas became the first African American to win a gold medal in the individual all-around, Maroney became a meme when she pulled a disappointed face after winning the silver medal on vault and Raisman won the team a bronze on beam and gold on floor exercise.
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2016
Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
28of 312016Ian Walton/Getty ImagesDuring the women’s 5000m race in Rio in 2016, New Zealand’s Nikki Hamblin clipped Abbey D’Agostino of the United States and the pair fell over onto the track. In an act of incredible sportsmanship, D’Agostino helped Hamblin up, insisting, “We have to finish this.” When D’Agostino later collapsed in pain, her competitor urged her on as well.Though the women finished behind everyone else, they were both awarded places in the finals, however, D’Agostinotore her ACLin the collision and wasn’t able to compete.
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Ian Walton/Getty Images
During the women’s 5000m race in Rio in 2016, New Zealand’s Nikki Hamblin clipped Abbey D’Agostino of the United States and the pair fell over onto the track. In an act of incredible sportsmanship, D’Agostino helped Hamblin up, insisting, “We have to finish this.” When D’Agostino later collapsed in pain, her competitor urged her on as well.
Though the women finished behind everyone else, they were both awarded places in the finals, however, D’Agostinotore her ACLin the collision and wasn’t able to compete.
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Michael Phelps at the 2016 Summer Olympics.Adam Pretty/Getty Images
That year, in Rio, Phelps became the first swimmer to win four consecutive golds in the same event, the 200m individual medley.
He also earned his 23rd gold medal, bringing his total medal tally up to 28, the most of any Olympian.
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David Ramos/Getty Images
31of 31Bonus: 2012Pascal Le Segretain/Getty ImagesThey’re not athletes, butKate MiddletonandPrince Williampretty much won the gold medal for most enthusiastic fans at the 2012 Olympics in London.
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Bonus: 2012
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
They’re not athletes, butKate MiddletonandPrince Williampretty much won the gold medal for most enthusiastic fans at the 2012 Olympics in London.
source: people.com
