# The most unforgettable moments in Olympic history

From Jesse Owens in Berlin to the "Miracle on Ice", from Nadia Comăneci's perfect 10 to Usain Bolt's and Michael Phelps's medals: the moments that made Games history. Which is your favourite?

- 0 votes · 22 items
- Mar 30, 2023 · Simona Palmieri
- https://even.best/en/l/2315/the-most-unforgettable-moments-in-olympic-history

## Top 22

1. **Jesse Owens in Berlin (1936)** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Four golds in the face of Nazi propaganda.
2. **The "Miracle on Ice" (1980)** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — American amateurs beat the USSR at hockey in Lake Placid.
3. **Usain Bolt in Beijing (2008)** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — The 100 metres in 9.69, celebrating before the line.
4. **Nadia Comăneci's perfect 10 (1976)** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — At 14, the first 10 in gymnastics history.
5. **Michael Phelps's eight golds (2008)** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Eight gold medals at a single Games.
6. **Muhammad Ali lights the flame (1996)** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — In Atlanta, his hands shaking from Parkinson's.
7. **Simone Biles in Rio (2016)** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Four golds and gymnastics never seen before.
8. **Wilma Rudolph in Rome (1960)** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — As a child she could not walk; she won three golds.
9. **Abebe Bikila barefoot in Rome (1960)** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — The marathon won barefoot.
10. **The first women's marathon (1984)** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Joan Benoit wins in Los Angeles.
11. **Cathy Freeman in Sydney (2000)** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — She lights the flame and then wins the 400 metres at home.
12. **Smith and Carlos raise their fists (1968)** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — The protest against racism on the Mexico City podium.
13. **Kerri Strug's vault (1996)** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — She vaults on an injured ankle and wins team gold.
14. **Eric "the Eel" Moussambani (2000)** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — The Equatorial Guinea swimmer who had only just learned to swim.
15. **Olga Korbut in Munich (1972)** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — The Soviet gymnast who won over the crowd.
16. **The Refugee Olympic Team (2016)** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — For the first time, athletes without a country under the Olympic flag.
17. **The Jamaican bobsleigh team (1988)** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — From the Caribbean to the snow of Calgary.
18. **Derek Redmond and his father (1992)** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — He tears a hamstring and reaches the line held up by his father.
19. **The Dream Team (1992)** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Jordan, Magic and Bird in Barcelona.
20. **Bob Beamon's leap (1968)** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — An 8.90-metre long jump that seemed impossible.
21. **Larisa Latynina's 18 medals** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — The Soviet gymnast was the most decorated Olympian for almost half a century.
22. **The two Koreas together (2018)** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — A unified women's hockey team in PyeongChang.

How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.