Top 10 Emotional Olympic Moments

- Published December 6, 2009 by Dash - 21125208 CommentsTop+10+Emotional+Olympic%C2%A0Moments2009-12-06+08%3A30%3A28jfrater

“Great is the victory, but the friendship is all the greater”, said Emil Zatopek when asked about the Olympic Games. The Olympics have become a magnet for all that is good within the human spirit. We look at ten moments in the history of the games when the actions of athletes have transcended race, color or nationality to speak to the soul…

Koreas march under the same flag

They were divided at the 38th parallel, but reunified in Sydney. It was probably only symbolic-perhaps even delusional, but when an event can bring two countries which are officially at war to march under the same flag, it gives the spectator an idea of the strength of the Olympic movement. A flag with the map of undivided Korea in blue over a white background was carried by Park Jung Chon, a North Korean judo coach and Chun Un Soon, a basketball player from South Korea while the band aptly played an emotional folk song. Same uniform, same flag, same song – it seemed for one fleeting moment in history, the two nations forgot the past and embraced the future.

An African delight in Barcelona

The two were as different as they come. One, a white South African. The other, an Ethiopian. Derartu Tulu and Elena Meyer had just finished first and second in the 10,000 meters. What followed was perhaps the most poignant victory lap in history. Hand in hand, the two Africans celebrated their victory together. For many, it heralded South Africa’s re-entrance into the sporting arena after years of apartheid but it was the beauty of two African athletes, in their hour of glory to recognize each others performance that seemed to provide the shining light for the dark continent.

Pyambu Tuul runs the race

Pyambu Tuul represented Mongolia in the marathon at Barcelona in 1992. He came in last. When asked why he was so slow, he replied ‘”No, my time was not slow, after all you could call my run a Mongolian Olympic marathon record.” Not satisfied, another reporter asked him whether it was the greatest day of his life. To which came the reply which can throw anybody off their seats. “And as for it being the greatest day of my life, no it isn’t”, he said,”"Up till six months ago I had no sight at all. I was a totally blind person. When I trained it was only with the aid of friends who ran with me. But a group of doctors came to my country last year to do humanitarian medical work. One doctor took a look at my eyes and asked me questions. I told him I had been unable to see since childhood. He said ‘But I can fix your sight with a simple operation’. So he did the operation on me and after 20 years I could see again. So today wasn’t the greatest day of my life. The best day was when I got my sight back and I saw my wife and two daughters for the first time. And they are beautiful.” Simple, ain’t it? It’s the races that we run within ourselves that are most important.

Dan Jansen’s redemption

It seemed to be happening all over again. A sense of deja vu had set in. Dan Jansen, the speed skater who had promised so much, but had failed to deliver was competing in the 1000 meters finals at Lillehammer. Surely, it was his last chance at redemption. Four years earlier at the Calgary games, he had competed in the 500 meters speed skating event hours after hearing the news of his sister Jane’s death. He had failed to make much of an impact. The jinx continued in Albertville. Call it what you will-destiny, an act of divine providence, whatever-he skated like never before, created a world record, and took home the gold. And if there is anything called poignancy in sport-it is this- Dan Jansen, holding his little girl and looking up to the heavens saying ‘This is for you, Jane.’

Miracle on Ice

Lake Placid, New York, 1980. The Soviets had invaded Afghanistan. Carter was not sending an American Contingent to the Moscow Summer Olympics. It was in this cauldron of spite that the American team comprising of mostly amateurs had just taken the lead against the mighty Soviets. Ten minutes of intense hockey followed, but the Soviets could not breach the American defense. With the clock winding down, ABC’s Al Michael’s immortal words ‘Eleven seconds, you’ve got ten seconds, the countdown’s going on right now! Morrow, up to Silk. Five seconds left in the game. Do you believe in miracles? YES’, were accompanied by jubilation on the rink as well as the stands. Decades later, its still the video you show your kids to teach them what it is to be American.

John Stephen Akhwari in Mexico

Momo Walde won the marathon gold in the high altitude of Mexico city in 1968. One hour later, a little known Tanzanian runner, John Stephen Akhwari entered the Olympic stadium – the last man to do so. Wounded after a fall and carrying a dislocated knee, he hobbled up to the track for for one last surge to the finish. He then retired to a thunderous applause by a small crowd which was lucky enough to get a glimpse of this gallant champion. It was later written of his perseverance – ‘Today we have witnessed a young African runner who symbolizes the finest in the human spirit. A performance that gives true dignity to sport – a performance which lifts sports out of the category of grown men playing in games.’ But Akhwari was far more modest. When asked why he did not quit, he replied,’My country did not send me 5000 miles to start the race. They sent me 5000 miles to finish the race.’

Black power and a sympathetic Australian

An image which even if you saw a thousand times, spoke to your heart in so profound a manner that it embodied the spirit of the times. The image is that of Tommie Smith and John Carlos raising a hand covered in a black glove with Peter Norman donning the Olympic Project for Human Rights badge. It will be remembered as the most iconic image of protest at the Olympic games, but all three of them were ostracized after. It was only years later that their act was to be recognized as a demonstration for dignity. It’s one of those moments when sport ceases to be just sport- it assumes the task of being a vehicle of change and progress.

Derek Redmond personifies the word ‘Courage’

A career plagued by injuries, Derek Redmond arrived at Barcelona with an eye on the gold medal. It wasn’t to be. With 175 meters to go in his 400 meters semifinal he pulled his hamstring. The dream had ended it seemed. Not for Redmond though. The succeeding events are etched in the minds of millions. Crying he stands up again, only to try to finish on one leg. His father watching from the sidelines joins him with words of comfort – “We’ll finish together”.’ Strength is measured in pounds. Speed is measured in seconds. Courage? You cant measure courage’, were the words used by the IOC to promote the Olympic movement by the act of perseverance. But for Derek Redmond, it was the only plausible thing to do.

Luz Long and Jesse Owens embrace in Berlin

In full view of the Fuhrer, a nineteen year old German athlete gave Jesse Owens some advice – ‘play it safe, make your mark several inches before the takeoff board and jump from there.’ Owens, the grandson of a slave and the son of a sharecropper took the advice, qualified for the finals and took his tally of gold medals to four. The first to congratulate him was Luz Long. “It took a lot of courage for him to befriend me in front of Hitler… You can melt down all the medals and cups I have and they wouldn’t be a plating on the twenty-four carat friendship that I felt for Luz Long at that moment,” he said, recounting his rendezvous with the blue eyed German but for all his heroics, Jesse had to take the freight elevator in the Waldorf Astoria to attend his own reception.

Ali lights the Olympic flame

At last he emerged from the background. A body weathered by Parkinson’s but the mind astute as ever. Shivering he lit the flame. No other sportsman in the history of sport had meant so much to so many as Muhammad Ali. For the dignity of the man was consummate – never relinquishing ideals for money or fame, Ali was the people’s champion – the underdog in sport and life. “They didn’t tell me who would light the flame, but when I saw it was you, I cried” said Bill Clinton. He wasn’t the only one.

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This list has 208 comments [Add Comment]

1 plasmatwa2
December 6th, 2009 at 1:37 am

Number four should not be on this list. The Olympics are not for pushing political agendas. They made a mockery of what the Olympics stood for by doing that.
2 Jacob
December 6th, 2009 at 1:41 am

What about Kerri Strug?
3 Carl
December 6th, 2009 at 1:42 am

Yay! I like it! I’ve always watched the Olympics not just for the sports, but for the symbolism of it all…
4 calm_incense
December 6th, 2009 at 1:44 am

Pretty beautiful list.

Maybe I should follow the Olympics for once…
5 kenny
December 6th, 2009 at 1:45 am

shut plasmatwa2 your just rascist
6 James
December 6th, 2009 at 2:03 am

I don’t usually comment on these things, but that was a pretty incredible list. Good job!
7 El the erf
December 6th, 2009 at 2:04 am

As I scrolled down, I could sense Ali would figure in the list. Good list Dash. I wonder when you’ll show up at listverse.
8 Avi
December 6th, 2009 at 2:06 am

Not a fan of this list. Honestly I never saw what made the Olympics as special as people keep telling me they are. I must be missing something.
9 Orhan94
December 6th, 2009 at 2:06 am

I couldn’t agree more with the sentence “No other sportsman in the history of sport had meant so much to so many as Muhammad Ali”. Great list, great idea.
10 Manda
December 6th, 2009 at 2:06 am

plasmatwa2, I think most of these events on this list are, in some way, politically motivated. Even if they weren’t thinking it at the time, the actions and words could be used to support or to reject certain political ideas. It is a shame, yes, but still it is the way it is, and they need to be taken in the spirit that these people were feeling at the time.
There are some here that I didn’t quite understand, like number 6, but there are also some incredible moments here. I was expecting Kathy Freeman’s victory lap, where she carried both the Australian flag and the Aboriginal flag, but again, most people who are not Australian wouldn’t understand the controversy and the full meaning behind it.
11 SnampyVersion2000
December 6th, 2009 at 2:21 am

plasmatwa2, go to your local dvd and hire out “Salute” The Movie. Perhaps that will help you understand why No.4 should be on the list and the emotion’s it created.

Personally, Derek Redmond should be No.1, even though he realistically would never have even come close to beating Quincy Watts and Steve Lewis, the Americans who finished 1-2 in the final.

Also Kostas Kenderis winning the 200m at Sydney in 2000 was pretty emotional for the Greek commentators!
12 gav
December 6th, 2009 at 2:27 am

Plasmatwa2 (#1), the #4 entry is not political. Human rights and equality are not political. It is humanitarian. Political is any country who boycotts the olympics, denying the greatest athletes the chance to step past that barrier that divides us in order to participate in the one event that unites us.

The Olympics is the one time when nations unite, not through politics, but through achievement and personal fortitude to demonstrate, but for one brief moment, to all people what is possible for man and what is possible for mankind.
It is not political, nor should it ever be. To stand for freedom, equality and the pursuit of a dream is what mankind strives for daily.
The Olympics brings it (and us) all together to cheer not only for the athletes, but for the courage, the perseverance and the unity that still escapes us.
(Long-winded, ain’t I?)
13 sharlu
December 6th, 2009 at 2:29 am

Great list!
14 Gatsby
December 6th, 2009 at 2:30 am

Plasmatwa2(#1), the list is titled Top 10 emotional Olympic moments. I think those two men were pretty emotional and it sparked many emotional responses.

Miracle on Ice is about as emotional a moment for Americans as it gets. It is, for me, the finest moment in American sports history.
15 gabi319
December 6th, 2009 at 2:32 am

@Manda (10):
There’s some political motivation behind number six given the US and Soviet relations that Dash tried to describe in the above paragraph, but The Miracle on Ice was also notable because of the “underdog” tone of the medal rounds. The Soviets were long-reigning champions of hockey while the US team hadn’t really played together prior to the Olympic qualifiers. The paragraph above used the term amateurs indicate non-professionals but there is a bit of a distinction between an amateur from the amateur leagues and one from the collegiate level (there was a mix of both on the team). At the Olympics, USA was seeded 7 out of 12 teams so they were a longshot for the gold, especially given that the Soviets had won the past four Olympic golds in Hockey and that they had also humiliated the US team in an exhibition game a month prior to the Lake Placid games. It’s called the Miracle on Ice because no one expected the US to win a medal, much less the gold they got.
16 Oe Jay
December 6th, 2009 at 2:36 am

As far as universally emotional moments these are all up there except for number 6 – Miracle on Ice. Don’t get me wrong – that was a huge effort by the guys and a big deal in itself but not on the same level as the rest. Just one guy’s opinion of course.
17 KK
December 6th, 2009 at 2:39 am

I still don’t know anything about what number 4 was, you didn’t explain…i’m only 18, I don’t really watch the olympics and I don’t know what it’s referencing……….
?
18 Mitch
December 6th, 2009 at 2:47 am

What about when John Landy doubled back during the 1500m in Melbourne in 1956 to check on Ron Clarke? He then made up a huge deficit and went on to get the bronze? Yes … I’m Australian, so of course I also agree with Manda. Also, how about Erik the Eel? Nice list though, couldn’t agree more with 4 – I saw an awesome doco on it one night.
19 astraya
December 6th, 2009 at 3:00 am

During the rehearsals for the opening ceremony of Sydney 2000 a truncated version of the parade was held, with each country announced (in French then English) and a placard holder and flag-bearer walking around the track then into position in the middle of the field. Korea(s) wasn’t announced in the list of nations, but just before the host nation came “Individual Olympic Athletes”, so I guessed that the Koreans would be marching there.
On the night, something in French filled the scoreboard, and the woman announcer spoke in French. I thought “Hmm, this didn’t happen during the rehearsal”. The scoreboard then showed the English, at which point people began to catch on, and the male announcer then said “The delegation of the Olympic Committee of the Republic of Korea, and the delegation of the Olympic Committee of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, marching together as – Korea!”. That got possibly the third biggest cheer of the parade, behind the USA and Australia.
Just for a moment, it all seemed possible.
I was in Korea at the time of the 2008 Olympics. Plans for combined teams, supporter squads, travel etc dissolved in acrimony. In the end South Korea finished in the top 10. The only North Korean medal winner I remember (a pistol shooter) was disqualified for drug use.

(BTW, the “Individual Olympic Athletes” were those from East Timor, whose Olympic Committee hadn’t been recognised at that stage. They also got a big cheer.)
20 Jack
December 6th, 2009 at 3:08 am

I remember watching the #3 on the TV when it happened, it was really emotional stuff. Glad it made the list.
21 brosiusjb
December 6th, 2009 at 3:37 am

There is a photo of Jesse Owens at the Berlin Olympics that Hitler was going to use as propaganda for the master race. Owens is standing on the top with Nazis on the second and third platforms. Both Nazis are giving the nazi salute while Owens is saluting the stars and stripes. This is a moment that transcends petty country squabbles that so often show their putrid heads even on this site. Owens represented everybody the Nazis thought to be enemies of the thousand year Reich. Think of all the people and countries that would come to be victimized by WWII and the aggressors. Some 90 million people were still alive at the moment this photo was taken, those 90 million people would die in WWII. Considering the context this may be the single most haunting sports photograph I’ve ever seen. And as photographs chronicle moments, it counts.
22 jfrater
December 6th, 2009 at 3:39 am

@plasmatwa2 (1): I thought the olympics stood for equality – something which was lacking in the US at the time of item 4 – hence the protest.
23 jfrater
December 6th, 2009 at 3:42 am

@KK (17): at the time America had apartheid – blacks and whites couldn’t legally mix in many circumstances. When the two black men won the medal they wore black power symbols to show their plight to the world and the white Australian wore a badge in support of it.
24 Davy
December 6th, 2009 at 3:54 am

Great list, Dash. Well-written and researched.
25 kgb99
December 6th, 2009 at 3:54 am

@Manda (10): How did you not understand #6? It’s one of the greatest moments in the history of American athletics. After years of being shut down by the dominant and seemingly invincible Soviet hockey team, the U.S. hockey team, made up of all college players, with an intense team chemistry and a little bit of luck finally defeated the Soviets. It was also a time when tensions were roughly at their peak between the two nations. This moment showed incredible spirit for the young Americans to prove that even the mighty Soviets could not intimidate us.
26 Springs
December 6th, 2009 at 4:30 am

Derek Redmond and his father, possibly the most emotional sports story I have ever heard. I would put that at Number 1.
27 Caryl
December 6th, 2009 at 4:50 am

I could be wrong, but aren’t the black gloves they are wearing actually the Australian’s?
28 Paul
December 6th, 2009 at 5:01 am

I have to agree with plasmatwa2 about #4. The black power salute wasn’t about achieving equality; it wasn’t about Martin Luther King’s goal of a world where people are judged on the content of their character. It was about the Black Panthers’ leftist agenda and Malcolm X’s radicalism (before he mellowed into a more reasonable stance). And the salute was done during the American national anthem, which in essence means these two were saying that their political position outweighed their support of their country. I disagree strongly with many things America does, but I always stand for the anthem and salute the flag with my hand over my heart, and I look askance at Americans who don’t.
29 osbern
December 6th, 2009 at 5:05 am

Great list, but I do miss Matthias Steiner holding the photo of his recently deceased wife after he won the gold medal in weightlifting in 2008. Even though we Germans do not have a reputation for being emotional, I cried like a baby when I saw it on TV.
30 Mitch
December 6th, 2009 at 5:14 am

Well I think jfrater in his usual conciseness has addressed the major points as to why number 4 was significant, but in a rare show of displeasure to my own country I’d also like to point out that it was ONLY ONE YEAR PRIOR that Australia undertook a referendum to actually consider Aboriginals as citizens (they were previously listed under “Fauna”). Given Australia’s renowned love of sport, this certainly represented a major step forward. I think it was almost as important for Aussies as it was for the US. And well, obviously South Africa had to follow suit or we would have kicked them out of the Cricket Tour.
31 archiealt
December 6th, 2009 at 5:31 am

Awesome list. You’ve really cheered me up on a day that has so far offered nothing but a savage hang over. It’s impossible to look at the image for number four and not feel something, incredibly poignant.
32 ronsantohof
December 6th, 2009 at 5:38 am

The Olympics are all about politics and corruption.
33 oouchan
December 6th, 2009 at 5:43 am

Awesome list, Dash! I loved readed it. Of course, I’m doing so with tissues at the ready…damn you for making me tear up!
I remember seeing number 3 on TV. That one stuck out far more for me than the rest. So did number 1.
Great job!
34 Gabriel
December 6th, 2009 at 5:45 am

I just have to say you ruined the list putting those american moments on it…
35 Arsnl
December 6th, 2009 at 5:48 am

@gabi319 (15): and @kgb99 (25):
but you guys understand that the us winning a gold at hockey doesnt mean squat to the rest of the world,right?? I get that it was an amazing moment for you all but i dont understand why it should be on this list since its so politically charged. Athletes represent also the people of that nation so i dont know why should the writer stress so much on the political side of things. It wasnt a battle against something that affects humanity like all those other moments( man versus racism, man versus diseas or man versus hate)
36 Gabriel
December 6th, 2009 at 5:48 am

@kgb99 (25): Only for americans. It is not something the rest world finds emotional.
37 Gabriel
December 6th, 2009 at 5:49 am

@Gabriel (36): The rest of the world.
38 Rufus
December 6th, 2009 at 5:50 am

sad to say that i’m not familiar with most of the items on this list =/
39 G-man
December 6th, 2009 at 6:14 am

Great list!
This should be a funny bonus:
40 Bo
December 6th, 2009 at 6:19 am

kk (#17) i’m 16 and i know exactly what number 4 is about, age is no excuse for ignorance. these men were having to win medals for a country that barely counted them as citizens, it was humiliating for them and so they took a very brave stand. Also, this list would have been good if it wasn’t so corny, honestly some of the language in this is just so….and the line about ‘it shows what it means to be american’, surely this applies to every country – overcoming the odds? however, i do think this is a great list, if not a bit cheesey.
41 betterthantheoriginalwally
December 6th, 2009 at 6:49 am

Peter Norman (what an Australian name) died recently and Tommie Smith was one of the pallbearers at his funeral. RIP.
42 Jaime
December 6th, 2009 at 6:59 am

I liked the list for the most part. However, when you talk about courage, it made me think of the Jamaican bobsleigh team in the 88 Olympics in Calgary. THe personified courage, but not caring what others think and staying true to a goal. That being said, I think that there are hundred of others who should be on this list because most people who make it to such a level are pretty amazing people.
43 archangel
December 6th, 2009 at 7:11 am

Awesome list… I know that the point of the Olympics is for it not to be politically charged, but it can’t be helped when nations make it so by segregating people, and such.
44 Ben Dover
December 6th, 2009 at 7:28 am

@Kenny5, in your world if anyone disagrees with you that person is a racist. Just like if a white person disagrees with Obama’s policies that person is a racist.
I, personally, agree with plasmatwa2. It was totally about politics.
And you might want to learn to spell before posting to big boy sites like this.
45 Ablomanous
December 6th, 2009 at 7:40 am

It gave me goosebumps, it gave me tears. A truly inspiring list. Thank you.
46 Steph
December 6th, 2009 at 7:42 am

AMAZING LIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! well done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! First list in a while that i read all of the blurbs underneath!
47 Carole
December 6th, 2009 at 7:49 am

Everybody knows the Soviets let America win that game! and most of the stuff on this list is propaganda, which is what the Olympics is all about. Billions spent bankrupting countries to promote false ideals. Greed, politics, global capitalism, and most of all deception, drive the games.
48 Laurabelle
December 6th, 2009 at 8:17 am

Numbers 8,5 and 3 really put things into perspective don’t they? Makes me feel crazy for complaining about having too much homework to do.
49 nzall
December 6th, 2009 at 8:21 am

awesome list again!

you should not see sport events as the defining point of what is the best athlete. In dutch, we have a saying that loosely translates as “participation is more important than victory”. This is especially true of the Olympic Games.

If there is one better way to show that we are all human, that we all live on this globe together, that nothing can stop us if we work together, it is the Olympics. 204 nations, 11,028 athletes, 302 events… I cannot think of any other event, whether it is sports, art, music or something else, that can unite the entire world under one flag, saying those delighted 3 words: “Citius, Altius, Fortius” (faster, higher, stronger, or the Olympic credo).

really, if only the combined nations of this planet would do something similar for other things, like climate, poverty, diseases, or other world-dividing things. if there would be a Climate games, or a Povertysolver championship, those problems would be solved.

If we combined under a common flag, like a stronger, more powerful version of the UN, we could overcome challenges that are seemingly too great to tackle.

but that will never happen, since the governments of this world are too stubborn to group together for something as small (in their eyes) as poverty, climate change, global illnesses.
50 ianz09
December 6th, 2009 at 8:21 am

Awesome list Dash! Shows why the Olympics really exist
51 Some Dude
December 6th, 2009 at 8:25 am

I would have added Nadia Comaneci to the list; the first ever gymnast to get a perfect 10.
52 El the erf
December 6th, 2009 at 8:29 am

There should be another list, top 10 blemishes in Olympic history. The Chinese extravanganza was the worst in my opinion. Olympics has drastically changed over the years. Now, the spirit looks tired, the athlete looks lost and the only winner-takes-all is the sly advertiser.
53 gabi319
December 6th, 2009 at 8:33 am

@Arsnl (35):
I wasn’t even making it a USA moment. The other fellow was (and it a very rude way, might I add. Not everyone cares about nationalism, about Soviet-US history together, or even about hockey). Yes, I used team names but merely for clarity. I see it as an underdog story of a recently-formed, ragtag team taking on and eventually beating a polished team who had been together and winning together for upwards of 16 years. So many fictional sports movies will use this story as inspiration for theirs that the general storyline has become cliche. Replace the teams and sport with the those of a preferred favorite and no doubt the ebullient feelings would be the same. That’s why upsets in sports are so emotional since they are unexpected. It’s sad for the heavy favorite but a great moment for the underdog and those that supported them.

So no, not a humanitarian “this versus that” cause but that wasn’t the standard ruling for this list. If it were, we wouldn’t see a few of these other items on here. I actually liked items 8, 6, 5, and 3 the best because it can be boiled down to just about the sport. They clearly did not have “1st place” tattooed on their foreheads or a gold medal with their name engraved on it waiting for them but they still persevered. That’s admirable.
54 Peter
December 6th, 2009 at 8:34 am

Why no links ???? Great list, but without video a bit dry.
55 MommaDuck
December 6th, 2009 at 8:48 am

#3 always makes me cry, even just seeing the picture of father and son together. You can hear people tell you that their father is an outstanding human being, but to actually see it is awesome.
It makes me appreciate my father even more, because I know whenever I need him, no matter what the situation, my Daddy will always be there for me. To have that kind of love and encouragement is your life is far more precious than any medal could ever be.
56 blue
December 6th, 2009 at 8:49 am

Nobody’s saying it? What a cheesy list. Sounds like the writer was the narrator for one of those awful Memorable Moments in Sports highlight reels on television.
57 enemyboat
December 6th, 2009 at 8:53 am

1976 Munich was a pretty emotional Olympics…
58 lou c tiel
December 6th, 2009 at 8:53 am

@42 Bo,
With all due respect, you only know what you have read or been “taught.” If you are correct that “age is no excuse for ignorance,” then I hope you understand that there is a difference between reading about something and living through it. There is a difference in being “taught” what happened and actually experiencing it.

The Tommie Smith and John Carlos symbol was not about equality. The “Black Power” raised fist was about inequality in the form of a black run country. The actual event during the Olympics widened, not closed, the racial divide that existed in parts of the country at the time. Many people of all ages and races at the time took the protest not as a symbol of “equality,” but as a sign of selfishness and hypocrisy.

It is only recently that the protest has come to be seen differently and something “positive.” For those of us who lived through it, we marvel at the revisionist history and wonder at the ignorance.
59 cfcohen
December 6th, 2009 at 9:00 am

Great list, and I teared up as I read them.

However, I was surprised at the lack of women athletes on the list. You’d think women didn’t compete in the games. When Joan Benoit crossed the finish line in 18984 during the first women’s marathon, I was a mess.

A few other readers mentioned other women athletes whose moments are important and as valid as those of the men. In the words of Abigail Adams, we ask you to “remember the ladies.”
60 bucslim
December 6th, 2009 at 9:10 am

I simply do not agree with your choice for the number one spot. It is true that Muhammad Ali was perhaps the pioneering athlete who made his mark not only in the ring but culturally as well. But your statement that “For the dignity of the man was consummate – never relinquishing ideals for money or fame, Ali was the people’s champion,” is utterly false. It is true that he refused entry into the Army based upon his religious convictions and thereby caused the boxing commissions to strip him of his heavyweight title. But his public statements and actions towards Joe Frazier were despicable and racist. He called Joe, a black man, an Uncle Tom and the ‘white man’s hope.’ From the start of the Fight of the Century to the Thrilla in Manila, Ali taunted Frazier relentlessly and many times it was racially tinged. Ali used his iconic status as the symbol of hope for African Americans in the United States against a person he was supposedly trying to represent and as a way to raise the box office dollars for these fights. That right there is doing it all for the cash and relinquishing his ideals.

What most people don’t know is that when Ali was banned from the sport and destitute, Joe Frazier was helping him with cash and petitioning to get his boxing license back. Ali paid him back by showering him with ugly racial slurs in public. That is extremely undignified in my opinion, but because he was Ali, people didn’t raise a fuss.

Ali’s entire public persona was centered around promoting himself as the greatest of all time. Whether you think that’s true or not, it really isn’t the epitome of being dignified. He was a loudmouth and everybody knows that and was one of the reasons people loved him.

One could make a case that he relinquished his ideals for the money and fame simply by watching his last few fights. This was a man clearly trying to hang on to every ounce of fame and money because it was obvious he was past his prime and could barely move around the ring, much less box.

I completely understand that it was an emotional moment for a large amount of people, that it was supposed to represent some sort of enduring spirit in athletics, that an American cultural icon was lighting the Olympic flame and that many people were crying.

I was sober and dry eyed and cannot understand how people can overlook his treatment of a fellow African American. It’s simply unforgivable.
61 bucslim
December 6th, 2009 at 9:14 am

@enemyboat (59):

Thanks enemyboat, I was going to comment on that. That really needs to be mentioned in this list.
62 Skrillah
December 6th, 2009 at 9:45 am

This list brought tears to my eyes!

And.. Ali FOREVER!!!!
63 DogBitez
December 6th, 2009 at 10:00 am

“Decades later, its still the video you show your kids to teach them what it is to be American.”

Uh, really? More than Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech? That’s pretty f-ing sad.
64 Keystonelight51
December 6th, 2009 at 10:16 am

This list should be fact checked. The article states that the Calgary Olympics where held 4 years earlier than the Lillehammer games, which is incorrect, they were in fact held 6 years prior to the 1994 games. In addition, “whatever-he skated like never before,” makes absolute no sense! I am not sure what the write means by this. Am I to assume he skated like no one else before, if so this is a terrible representation of that. I am not trying to be picky, but I would like to see these list have factual information as opposed to some persons bad information!
65 El the erf
December 6th, 2009 at 10:16 am

@bucslim (62):

“The most brilliant commentator since Cicero”

Now who the FUCK said that.
66 lrigD
December 6th, 2009 at 10:25 am

Good list =) Slightly biased, but I didn’t really care here.

Somebody mentioned the Jamaican bobsleighing team. That’s like a joke in my family, everybody always mentions it…

Anyway, I don’t care very much for the Olympics and the sports itself (I mean, it’s nice to look at but I’m not a big fan), but I do like reading these kind of things. There are so few times when the world is united. The Olympics is, I think, one of them.
67 Woyzeck
December 6th, 2009 at 10:40 am

What about Paula Radcliffe pissing in the gutter on live TV?
68 Woyzeck
December 6th, 2009 at 10:47 am

“Decades later, its still the video you show your kids to teach them what it is to be American.”

I don’t want to start a controversy here, but can someone explain this sentence to me please? I fail to see what is ‘American’ about it.
69 RedMan
December 6th, 2009 at 10:53 am

This list list should be deleted. This is one of the stupidest things I ever read. I feel so bad bad for reading it I think I may bang my head against the wall for an hour to redeem myself. Wow a bunch of bottom feeders going for the christmas prize huh. Stupid list. Dash you should be ashamed of yourself.
70 General Tits Von Chodehoffen
December 6th, 2009 at 10:56 am

@bucslim (62): I hate when people blindly love athletes or celebrities when they don’t even know the full story.
71 triviafan
December 6th, 2009 at 10:59 am

Those guys were emotional SnampyVersion2000, it’s too bad the guy was so juiced!

If you want to talk about a political moment but it also happens to be emotional, how could you not mention the memorial ceremony for the Israeli atheletes murdered in Munich, 1972? Jim McKay’s immortal words: “When I was a kid, my father used to say ‘Our greatest hopes and our worst fears are seldom realized.’ Our worst fears have been realized tonight. They’ve now said that there were eleven hostages. Two were killed in their rooms yesterday morning; nine were killed at the airport tonight. They’re all gone.”
72 triviafan
December 6th, 2009 at 11:03 am

People mention Kerri Shrug, it was an amazing performance, but I think this guy was just as amazing if not more:
73 Skrillah
December 6th, 2009 at 11:06 am

@ RedMan:”This list list should be deleted. This is one of the stupidest things I ever read. I feel so bad bad for reading it I think I may bang my head against the wall for an hour to redeem myself. ”

So you are gonna bang your head against a wall because you got pissed off by reading some list on the web? GET A LI…Oh no,, wait, if people like you start ”living an offline life ” the internet would be so boring.

Nice list Dash.
74 Tryclyde
December 6th, 2009 at 11:07 am

Muhammed Ali is overrated. Bucslim pretty much hit the nail on the head. As an American and a history buff who recognizes the important contributions of past athletes, I think the lionization of him is unwarranted and not merited. Also, if you’re American but weren’t around to see the Miracle on Ice, you can’t really understand how huge and emotional it was for the entire country.
75 lala
December 6th, 2009 at 11:07 am

as an Indian, i would like to add the name of J J Shobha here. (this text was taken from wikipedia)

She came into the news for her performance at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, where she completed the seven-discipline heptathlon event despite being injured in the penultimate event of Javelin throw. She had to be carried off the field but she returned with a tightly strapped left ankle and finished 3rd in the final event (800 m) and 11th overall with 6172 points. She was awarded the Arjuna award for the year 2004 for her gritty performance
76 T
December 6th, 2009 at 11:08 am

Great list!
77 Vera Lynn
December 6th, 2009 at 11:17 am

I thought this was pretty good. It made me cry though. I also think the Munich Olympics should be mentioned. Terrible omission.
78 mom424
December 6th, 2009 at 11:22 am

Excellent list Dash. The Olympics has always been a big deal in my house; I remember watching as very little girl on our first TV. Black and white TV no-less. Colour wasn’t widely available for years. It’s now a tradition in my house too; every 4 years the household goes on break for a couple of weeks. Even with the unfair playing field (due to inequality in funding for the athletes) it is still one of humanities great achievements. At least for a couple of weeks, we can all put aside our differences and rejoice in the accomplishments of the individual.

By the way Dash – #8 made me tear up first thing this morning. Good job!

@bucslim (60): I watched a PBS documentary on Joe Frazier; he never ever got over the betrayal by Ali. You could hear the hurt in his voice when he discussed it. I’m in total agreement with you on this one.

Oh and I would have put in Canada’s trouncing of the USA hockey team in ’02. 10 million Canadians watched that game; seeing as our population at the time was just over 20 million, I’d say it was a socially relevant “Canadian” moment.
79 Wtf
December 6th, 2009 at 11:24 am

Seriously…..”what it is to be american”? So the video teaches kids to be ignorant, idiotic, racist and fat?
80 bucslim
December 6th, 2009 at 11:25 am

As I stated earlier, the Munich Olympics should be at the top of this list, no question about it. It was tragic, horrifying and brutal. I think triviafan put it best when they quoted Jim McKay’s words.

Omitting that and trumping up an overblown hypocrite like Muhammad Ali is just wrong in my opinion.
81 me
December 6th, 2009 at 11:27 am

@Ben Dover (46):
@lou c tiel (60):

as an unbiased spectator from a far way country – i can tell you for a fact that balck power slaute doesnot look like a political statement but rather a stand against injustice and if thats being political then i think we need more of such politics
82 Arsnl
December 6th, 2009 at 11:27 am

@gabi319 (53): hmmm again with the underdog thing. The history of sports is full of such stories.(irak winning the asian cup in football is just one example of the top of my head) In fact that is why we like sports right?? Nothing is certain. And dont underestimate the fact that they were playing at home( look at england 1966 world cup or france 1998; south coreea in 2002).
The 8 5 and 3 items are exactly what i meant. Man versus his weakness and the power to overcome it. It is a poorly researched list. I think he did it by ear.

Besides the ’72 olympics( a really awful omision that makes this list less credible) i would have added the ’60 rome olympics when bikila won the marathon event barefoot and became the first black african to win a gold medal- this as a response to the use of all the technologies to improve records
83 me
December 6th, 2009 at 11:32 am

@Tryclyde (74): and other #6-lovers

the thing is that the moment was not so great for the rest of the world as we are least concerned about sporting achievements of america or USSR for that matter

and #6 is the most political on the list

maybe if the authior had put it up as a underdog story then and only then could it be justified to be on the list.

<> the world is not america, period
84 me
December 6th, 2009 at 11:33 am

@Arsnl (83):

well said
85 Tryclyde
December 6th, 2009 at 11:34 am

@Wtf (79): It’s ironic because other than being “fat”, since I don’t know what you look like, your post would indicate that you yourself are ignorant, idiotic, and racist.
86 Arsnl
December 6th, 2009 at 11:36 am

@mom424 (78): maybe you forgot the ’08 olympics and how the torch relay had big unprecedented problems in paris and london. At one side you had the tibetans and on the other chinese shouting at each other. And the symbol of olympics passing between them. The first time ive watched a relay live and it was quite irritating; or the soviet boycot of the la olympics or all the athletes that used steroids.
87 Tryclyde
December 6th, 2009 at 11:38 am

@me (84): I didn’t read “For The Whole World” at the end of the title. In general, it was a very emotional moment. Also, considering the politics of the world at the time, it WAS a big deal for alot of people on some level.
88 me
December 6th, 2009 at 11:50 am

@Tryclyde (87):

i wasn’t born then. even if i had been i really don’t understand how #6 could have been ‘a big deal’ for the rest of us (citizens of the world).

and which ‘ alot of people’ u talking about. i’ll hazard a guess – american sycophants????
89 Tryclyde
December 6th, 2009 at 12:00 pm

@me (89): Read this article from an INTERNATIONAL source, especially the final paragraph.

http://www.iihf.com/channels/iihf-world-championship/top-story-of-the-century.html
90 Arsnl
December 6th, 2009 at 12:04 pm

@me (89): ok you just stepped a line. Im european and my grandpa still tells the story at #6 at family reunions. Its so touching and you can feel the passion in his voice. The way he tells it… Its like, its like you’re right there,cheering. Usa-ussr at hockey. The reds got it really good. Its a great symbolic moment for us. For all of us. I bet alliens will be so happy in 2 years( well due to the huge distance it does take time for the signal to get over there) so please retract your statement. Are you a commie??
Ps i bet afghans were so happy- who cares we’re getting bombarded by the soviets. They just got their ass kicked at HOCKEY.happy days.
91 Wow
December 6th, 2009 at 12:12 pm

@Gabriel…

You are a moron. LOL at you for thinking the defeat of the Soviets is not important.
92 Kyla
December 6th, 2009 at 12:12 pm

This list made me cry buckets. So many were very sweet moments. G-Man (# 39) Thanks so much for the comic relief.
93 danmoo
December 6th, 2009 at 12:18 pm

ive been coming to this site everyday for 2 years. This is the greatest list on the entire site. great, great job
94 Arsnl
December 6th, 2009 at 12:18 pm

@Tryclyde (90): dude thats the iihf site:))). Ofcourse they will talk about hockey but the olympics had much more amazing and emotional moments that were left out. It was an amazing game- ok the gratest hockey game ever played but still.
Maybe we should move on cuz this is becoming like all those other annoying disputes. (american :” we are so important” ; somebody else: ” no you’re not”; american:” we own you” somebody else :” no, china owns us”…)
lets move on because nobody will change their opinion
95 me
December 6th, 2009 at 12:19 pm

@Tryclyde (90):
@Arsnl (91):

what if i am a commie?? i live in a country where ppl are not persecuted for being a commmie or a capitalist pig. well i am neither..

as for the point at hand, tryclyde, i read the story and the thing is i still don’t get it….what you’re feeling is the fact that it was a nationalist issue for you to beat the USSR. thats about it.

arsnl, ur post explains that by calling USSR – reds, you are also being fooled by your political views
96 me
December 6th, 2009 at 12:21 pm

@Arsnl (95):

lol
97 James
December 6th, 2009 at 12:32 pm

Number 2: Some of your details have been proven to be a fabrication of events. Luz-long did not give any advice to owens. in fact Owens later admitted that he did not even meet luz-long until after the competition was over.

http://www.wbur.org/npr/111878822
98 Arsnl
December 6th, 2009 at 12:34 pm

@me (96): ok i got it. You’re norwegian. So you live in heaven. Dont brag about it. It annoys people
ps i was jkin in that previous comment. People take things to serious. But i do call soviets and russians reds. I think i won that right so ill take advantage of it
99 lo
December 6th, 2009 at 12:35 pm

jfrater-

could you add the city and the year to each number under the number titles?

you know, like “10. Koreas march under the same flag -Sydney 2000-”

it think it would really help give context to at least know what year these all occurred in (not mentioned in entry for all), as many of us were too young to remember or weren’t paying attention at the time.

and everyone, about the hockey “miracle” -i was born in 1980 in the states and i’ve never even heard of that before, so i don’t think it’s been widely used to “teach [your kids] what it is to be American” in the decades since it happened. maybe if your parents had a big connection to it when it happened, but it’s surely not a nation-wide “teaching tool”.
100 triviafan
December 6th, 2009 at 12:37 pm

@bucslim:
101 Woyzeck
December 6th, 2009 at 12:42 pm

“Decades later, its still the video you show your kids to teach them what it is to be American.”

Still waiting for an explanation for this sentence.
102 me
December 6th, 2009 at 12:48 pm

@Arsnl (99):

not norway or any such heavenly country.

u won the right to call then reds.. when??

@lo (100):

i agree. the place and year would ahve been nice
103 Arsnl
December 6th, 2009 at 1:07 pm

@me (103): well maybe when they decided to make eastern europe their play ground. Or maybe when they decided to chop up nations or maybe when their armies invaded other nations or maybe when they put puppet goverments in said countries completly ignoring the will of the people. I bet thats a funny notion to a red ” will of the people”. Lets not get started. The us yes its not good but come on. If some iraki has the right to throw a shoe at bush i sure have the right to call them reds( and thats the friendly name)
104 deeeziner
December 6th, 2009 at 1:20 pm

Nice list Dash—Although a location/year subtitle to each item would have been very helpful.

I disagree as well with the Ali as #1, not so much because of his antics as described by Bucslim, (thanks for the enlightenment), but because not everyone is choked up by seeing a has been come into the limelight for these type of events. I know that I open myself up to criticism, but Ali has just never been one of MY heroes. MHO
105 deeeziner
December 6th, 2009 at 1:31 pm

I’d also like to take this opportunity to say to anyone out there involved in the current televising of the games…

I don’t have cable. I won’t be getting cable anytime in the near future.

The Olympic Games are a world wide event that deserves coverage available to all. Can programming in the future please be a bit more democratic?

Instead of programming events covered to be available only to those with expanded TV packages, can you not show less of any one event, and more of each of the events on common TV coverage?

I was unable to share in any Judo, Archery, Fencing, Tug of War, Synchronized Swimming, Weightlifting…Due to the way programming was scheduled and televised with deference paid to cable broadcasts.
106 Scratch
December 6th, 2009 at 1:39 pm

@mom424 (78):

Small correction, Canada’s population was around 31 million in ’02.
107 Trazzoli
December 6th, 2009 at 1:47 pm

Since the talk is about the Olympics, there is an Olympic battle going on right now that has to be mentioned, but since it isnt an Olympic moment cant be on the list. The women ski jumpers have been disallowed to compete in the coming winter games in Vancouver, and although they are trying to fight this in the Canadian courts, it is not a decision that can be made in the Canadian legal system, since the Olympic regulations are the territory of the IOC and not a single country. I’m not sure why they cant compete in the Olympics since there is a sanctioned World Championship event for women. The outcome of battle being fought is certainly one that will be emotional whichever way it goes.
108 bwolper
December 6th, 2009 at 1:56 pm

Ten is not enough for a list like this. Nadia Comaneci’s perfect 10′s should be pretty high on the list.

Let’s not forget Munich. I don’t think there was anything more emotional than that.
109 Arsnl
December 6th, 2009 at 2:04 pm

@bwolper (109): you romanian or what:))). In fact it was a 1.0
110 Trazzoli
December 6th, 2009 at 2:07 pm

(109) good point! not just the fact that got a perfect score, but that she did while in tremendous pain with an injury (on the vault).
111 bwolper
December 6th, 2009 at 2:17 pm

@Arsnl: I am not Romanian. It is that I am about the same age as Nadia and every boy in my class was mad about her.
112 astraya
December 6th, 2009 at 2:19 pm

For many years a mural of the Smith/Norman/Carlos photo was on a wall facing Sydney’s main suburban rail line. I don’t know why – possibly a local connection to Norman.
I remember reading at the time of Norman’s death that one of the Americans had made racist comments towards Norman in the lead-up to the race. Norman responded in the best way – on the track, man to man.
113 Arsnl
December 6th, 2009 at 2:32 pm

@bwolper (112): she was the greatest gymnast ever and one of the most amazing person who defected:p
114 flamehorse
December 6th, 2009 at 2:53 pm

I’m glad Ali is #1, but I really don’t think #4 should be on the list.
115 Kris Kringle
December 6th, 2009 at 3:09 pm

@flamehorse (115):
That’s because you are fuckin’ racist against Australians.
116 stefan
December 6th, 2009 at 3:17 pm

@plasmatwa2 (1): everything on this list is politics you idiot; a black south african with a white (politics)
america versing the soviets in hockey during cold war tension (politics)
etc etc.

anyway, AMAZNING LIST.. actually brought a tear to my eye, its awesome !
117 soreheid
December 6th, 2009 at 3:55 pm

for me it is cathy freeman winning 400m gold in sydney when a country accepted it’s true soul and the big fat hopeless ludge slider giving us all a sense of unachievmenet, also as a scotsman allan wells winning 100m gold in moscow 1980
118 esamutash
December 6th, 2009 at 5:10 pm

brilliant concept for a list. Maybe the best I have ever seen on lIstverse and as a longtime watcher I think I agree with everyone.
119 nuriko
December 6th, 2009 at 5:33 pm

more please…
120 Andres
December 6th, 2009 at 5:51 pm

@blue (56): Does the word “emotional” in the title mean anything to you? It is highly, highly dumb from you to complain that a list of **EMOTIONAL** moments seems cheesy to you. Just saying it makes me feel stupid.
121 wondersquid
December 6th, 2009 at 6:12 pm

I have zero interest in sports. But the background stories held my interest. Nicely done.
122 Woyzeck
December 6th, 2009 at 6:16 pm

@esamutash (119):

No you don’t.
123 Ehmmie
December 6th, 2009 at 6:46 pm

Beautiful list. Excellent job.
124 trfan
December 6th, 2009 at 6:55 pm

How could you leave out Kerri Strug’s gutsy one-legged jump land? That was the first thing I thought of for an emotional moment after Ali.
125 Shagrat
December 6th, 2009 at 7:01 pm

Brilliant List, Dash; As with Manda & Mitch, I’d hoped Kathy Freeman’s or John Landy’s moments might have been there but we can’t be greedy figuring in two spots: As for #4 & #6; these were memorable and wonderful Olympic moments: I watched that hockey game on TV and cheered as though they were Aussies and then cheered again when I watched the ‘made for television’ movie “Miracle On Ice”.

I also wept when Muhammad Ali came out to light the Olympic Flame – a well-deserved No. 1

Other moments that stand out:

The female runner whose body shut down as she entered the stadium in the marathon: can’t remember which games (?Barcelona/?Seoul) and staggered to cross the finish line.

Torville & Dean – expected to win, but did so with perfect scores at the Winter Olympics in Sarjevo, 1984.

However, one of the most emotional moments for me was in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles when Jon Sieben of Australia swam the race of his life to steal the 200 metres Butterfly from Germany’s Michael Gross and America’s Pablo Morales: Gross – known as ‘The Albatross’ due to his long arms was unbeatable at the time and it was a foregone conclusion that the race would be between him and Morales – the second best in the world at the time and favourite at L,A. with crown emotion expected to lift him higher when Sieben, swimming in Gross’s wake for 3 laps powered home in the last 30 metres to win by a touch; lifting his PB by something like 4 seconds to do so.
126 Vera Lynn
December 6th, 2009 at 7:45 pm

Arsnl (110) They had to write it as a 1.0 because the equipment couldn’t display the number 10 as it had never been done before.
127 Vera Lynn
December 6th, 2009 at 7:49 pm

Shagrat (126) Also Tai Babylonia and Randy Gardner. They were the world champs and highly favored to win. But then during warm-ups, Gardner pulled his groin muscle and they had to withdraw. I will never forget that. I had been following them for years, and it truly was a heartbreaking moment.
128 compelledtospeak
December 6th, 2009 at 8:02 pm

What about Jeff Blatnick who beat cancer to win a gold medal in wrestling in 1984? The sportscaster who interviewed him after the match was crying like a baby.
129 k1w1taxi
December 6th, 2009 at 8:35 pm

Gotta agree with the commenters on the Cheesy aspects of some of the write ups.

7. The jinx struck again at Albertville.
What Jinx? Did another family member die, or did he just choke? Mind you I really doubt this entry belongs on on the list.

3. Derek Redmond arrived at Barcelona with an eye on the gold medal. The dream had ended it seemed. Not for Redmond though.
No the dream HAD ended. He was not going to make the final let alone win gold, okay. What happened after that may well be courageous as hell (or stupid DOYPOV) but it was not the dream carrying on.

1. What bucslim said.

And all you people saying that the Miracle on Ice was not a major emotional moment get over yourselves.

I found Roy Jones jr getting robbed at Seoul a pretty emotional moment too, but I am guessing that anger is not the emotion Dash was thinking of.

As a Kiwi the two biggest emotional moments were 1964 when Peter Snell won the 800/1500 double, and 1976 when we won the gold in mens (field) hockey with our goalie suffering a broken kneecap stopping a penalty stroke. Beating Australia was an added bonus.
130 gatineau
December 6th, 2009 at 8:50 pm

It always brings a tear to my eye when I watch the Redmond clip. I’ve actually got a motivational poster in my cubical at work with the very same picture as used on this list.

Good stuff.
131 Iakhovas
December 6th, 2009 at 8:51 pm

I would have liked to have Steve Bradbury in there for his gold medal in in speed skating. He taught us that even if everyone else is better than you, victory is still possible through dumb luck. OK, it wasn’t amazing, but it was hilarious.
132 paulyt
December 6th, 2009 at 9:05 pm

My personal most emotional moments.
Cathy Freeman wins the 400m at the Sydney Olympics. I cried when this happened and it gives me goosebumps every time.

Jane Saville being disqaulified during the 20km walk at the sydney Olympics just as she was about to enter the stadium.

Matthew Mitcham Winnings gold at the Beijing Olympics with the highest ever diving score in olympic history on his last dive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Az4w32d20SY

Eric The Eel
133 clay
December 6th, 2009 at 9:06 pm

the miracle on ice should have been number one
134 BravehisTickle
December 6th, 2009 at 10:15 pm

@Kris Kringle (116): Just because someone disagrees with a point or person, that doesn’t mean he/she has to be racist.
135 chalkman
December 6th, 2009 at 10:25 pm

The US has won the most medals, so we get the most emotional moments…
136 BravehisTickle
December 6th, 2009 at 10:28 pm

@chalkman (136): Oh really? From now on,it will be China which will top the medal tally every olympic.
137 Yun
December 6th, 2009 at 10:44 pm

@jfrater (22):
That salute is not a symbol of racial equality, it is the salute of the Black Panther Party, an explicitly militant, violent, anti-white organization. You would never have seen Martin Luther King, or any other respectable civil rights leader associate themselves with that sort of, and for the author to gloss over that fact is an insult to Dr. King.
138 superbloop
December 6th, 2009 at 10:49 pm

#1 sucked. Only emotional via fame.
139 mena
December 6th, 2009 at 11:19 pm

great list
140 AuthorityFigure
December 7th, 2009 at 12:05 am

I think sport for the pursuit of glory is one of the more despicable goals. The commercialisation of sport undermines the potential common good that could arise from it. The air-time given to it is disproportional, and the role-models that are produced are hardly suitable for any civilised society.
141 AuthorityFigure
December 7th, 2009 at 12:07 am

@ 116 Kris Kringle
Thanks for sticking up for us, but ‘Australian’ is not a race!
142 BravehisTickle
December 7th, 2009 at 12:08 am

@AuthorityFigure (141): Me thinks you are absolutely right, spending astronomical amounts of money for glorification is just obscene, when the same could be used for nobler purposes viz. development,healthcare,education etc stuff.
143 Mitch
December 7th, 2009 at 12:22 am

@ 133. Haha you’re definitely and Aussie aren’t you paulyt? They’re some of my favourite moments aswell. But the real emotion of Saville’s disqualification for me was the fact that Mickey D’s was doing a promo at the time, and if she came first I would have got a free BigMac.
And as to flamehorse, why shouldn’t No.4 be there? Is it the context of the black power salute (which as many have pointed out is linked to the extremist Black Panthers) or the fact that there’s an Australian up there?
144 Kris Kringle
December 7th, 2009 at 12:35 am

@BravehisTickle (135):

No, he admitted before to hating Austrians.

@AuthorityFigure (142):

You’re wrong, Australians are very racist. Look up aboriginals while you’re at it. You should know this if you live in the nation of Australia. Are you even Australian?
145 BravehisTickle
December 7th, 2009 at 12:43 am

@Kris Kringle (145): Who admitted? Flamehorse? I cannot see it in any comment..and what do you mean by ‘Australian are very racist’? Can you explain?
146 Springs
December 7th, 2009 at 1:13 am

A lot of Australians are racist, with the ‘F off we’re full’ attitude and the perception that all Aboriginals are drug users, alcoholics or child abusers.

But that is a minority, most Caucasian Australians do not discriminate against the Indigenous people or immigrants.
147 plasmatwa2
December 7th, 2009 at 1:43 am

@Trazzoli (108): I thought the battle was over. I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure they aleady announced that there will be no women’s ski jump this year. I think it was due to a lack of international participants?

@stefan (117): Shh, grownups are talking.
148 Sensekhmet
December 7th, 2009 at 2:35 am

I don’t really follow olympics but for me the most emotional moment in sports was when Alessandro Zanardi won his first race after the horrific accident he suffered at Lausitzring in 2001. He lost both his legs during the crash as well as most of his blood, many splinters of carbon fibre were stuck in his body. Last rites were performed on him.
Yet four years later, in 2005 he won the Oschersleben World Touring Car Championship race, not too far from the Lausitzring track. He continues to be a competetive driver in the series today. He has to walk using crutches and his car is modified with hand controls. WTCC is an extremely competetive series, with lots of car-to-car contact and no one gives Zanardi any repreive on the track. One of motorsport heroes if you ask me.
149 dgw
December 7th, 2009 at 2:40 am

I think you forgot John Landy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Landy
150 Shannon
December 7th, 2009 at 6:06 am

As a former wrestler, I have to put in a plug for Rulon Gardner’s upset of the magnificent Alexander Karelin at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
151 Professor
December 7th, 2009 at 6:30 am

What about Eddie the Eagle? I cried at his every attempt (okay it was tears of laughter I admit, but it was still tears!)….Well?…. Laughter IS a display of emotion isn’t it???
152 Sorry
December 7th, 2009 at 6:38 am

Muhammed Ali receives honorary doctorate from Princeton, shakes own hand
153 DoubleT
December 7th, 2009 at 7:29 am

Quite a disappointing list. I’m a typical Olympic crybaby so I expected some goosebumps early in the morning, but the list is so political, racial and US-biased. Number 1? It’s a joke, right?!
154 crumpetthestrumpet
December 7th, 2009 at 7:32 am

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzz…!
155 Morticia
December 7th, 2009 at 7:49 am

You all make me laugh – what a lot we are. Nice list and dare I admit I teared up a bit too?!
156 callie19
December 7th, 2009 at 7:57 am

@lo (100): I was born in 1985 in the US and grew up listening to that story every four years. It wasn’t like my dad was a huge hockey person either, he just really liked the story. It was also a semi-hit movie a couple years ago. Just because no one ever told you about it doesn’t mean it’s of lesser value to the rest of us.

The reason it’s so important is becasue we don’t have anything like that anymore. I can’t think of a good event that has pulled an entire country together in my lifetime. Even Michael Phelps breaking all the records didn’t really do it, and lots of people were behind him. Hell, I live in Baltimore, where he’s from and currently lives, and it didn’t even really bring the city together. We’re too wrapped up in ourselves.
157 zigra
December 7th, 2009 at 8:41 am

Owens later stated that Long did not in fact help with his mark:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111878822

But their friendship was real and worthy of this list (should be #1 IMO), From the npr story:

Luz Long died in 1943 while fighting for Germany in World War II. A final letter he wrote to Jesse Owens reads, in part, “Someday find my son … tell him about how things can be between men on this Earth.”
158 cass
December 7th, 2009 at 8:51 am

@Kris Kringle (145) & Springs (147) – Aboriginal is an adjective, the noun is Aborigine….

I remember seeing an interview with Peter Norman (#4) and he said that the Americans asked him to also raise the fist, but he thought it would be more powerful an image if he didn’t…. good on ya!
159 meggyschwe
December 7th, 2009 at 10:42 am

I used to love this website. I read it all the time for the interesting information. I then made the horrible mistake of reading the comments that followed each of the lists: (i.e.) “I just have to say you ruined the list putting those american moments on it…; Seriously…..”what it is to be american”? So the video teaches kids to be ignorant, idiotic, racist and fat?…”

It’s comments like these and (many) of the like that disgust me. I respected this site as an intellectual one but time after time I see that it’s “followers” are no more intellectual or open-minded than spit. I will never again visit this site.

I tend not to go where unintelligent and arrogant idealisms runs rampant. But if I were on the same level as you, I would say something like: “Hey you dainty, sissy-fuck Europeans, why don’t you go to one of your dance/electronica clubs; do your X; have one of your hairy & smelly gang-bangs; and then cry in your Zimas or pink Zinfandels about where the world is going.” Basically, pull your vajayjay’s off the floor and MAN UP, European bitches!

But of course, that is something I would never say…not in real life, anyway. Blame the outburst on the atmosphere this website creates. Stereotyping and blind judgments feel great, doesn’t it? FUCKING SISSYS!
160 RedMan
December 7th, 2009 at 11:38 am

People keep bringing up the what it means to be an American line from here. If you want to be an American go kill every person who has something you want, enslave all those weaker than you, impose you beliefs upon the rest of the world and kill all who resist, be ignorant towards all others feelings, and lastly if the above doesn’t work drop a nuke on them. Yep those are the basics of a true blue American. People may not enjoy hearing this but America is a country founded on hatred, slavery, and murder. The truth hurts but history can’t lie.
161 hehe
December 7th, 2009 at 11:46 am

Munich should be #1, no questions asked. It is a shame for the poster to leave that out.
162 Alencon
December 7th, 2009 at 11:47 am

Good list overall. I think I would have made Derek Redmond #1 however. It represented the epitomy of what the Olympics are supposed to be in my opinion.

As for Ali, I think Bucslim is being a little too harsh, but he’s not entirely off base. Ali’s actions toward Frasier, supposedly in the name of showmanship, were deplorable. It was a mistake, but we all make mistakes. I wish he had openly apologized for those actions. A sincere apology, even now, would be appropriate.

But those mistakes don’t cancel out everything else.
163 Jeff
December 7th, 2009 at 12:26 pm

#4 was and still is very emotional for many Americans. The symbolism was a plea for help to the International community, for a people oppressed because of their skin color and a rallying cry for a people to stand up and fight the power that tries to oppress them. Many White Americans did not like being embarrased or shamed by the act but I’m sure even though we won medals in that event those two would have been treated terribly if they decided to walk the streets of some cities in the South and North. Just like negro servicemen returning after WWII. (yes they did serve) We are glad you helped but don’t be too proud and remember your still just a N*, a second class citizen in my eyes. The symbolism fit the times!
164 Aplgeek
December 7th, 2009 at 12:30 pm

One item stands out in my mind this not on this list. 1972 Munich. While not centered around any one event, the murder of Israeli Olympians was by the biggest story.
165 Shannon
December 7th, 2009 at 12:34 pm

@RedMan (161):
America is a country founded on hatred, slavery, and murder. The truth hurts but history can’t lie.

Red, with all due respect to your apparent status as a member of the First Nations, what country ISN’T founded on hatred, slavery, and murder to some degree?

Let me defend this point. The ancient Egyptian civilization used slavery or at best press-gang labor to build much of what we consider its greatest accomplishment. The Greeks were ultranationalist to the point that the etymology our English word “Barbarian” can be traced to a slur the Greeks used for those benighted enough to not speak Greek. Rome was built on the backs of slave labor, although not the chattel slavery most Americans are familiar with.

In MesoAmerica, the Aztecs were famous for enslaving their neighbors. In North America, the First Nations carved out territory and defended it against others of the Nations, although the territories were much more fluid. The white men call one branch of the Dine’ “Apache” because the first natives to explain the Chiracahu to them used the word “Apachu” . . . a word that means “Enemy” in their language.

To create a nation is by definition to embrace some form or fashion of nationalism and nationalism is predicated for good or ill on the idea that X group of people is different and, if all cards are laid on the table, BETTER than group Y.

Please understand that I am not excusing America’s shortcomings, and they are many throughout our 400 years as a people and 240ish years as a sovereign nation. I would imagine if we scoured the histories of all sides in the discussion, we’d find some ratio of Berlin Airlifts to My Lais. I know we have done wrong as a nation, but I defy anyone to point out a nation with spotless hands and a record absolutely devoid of human rights blemishes.

America is far from perfect, as people love to point out, but we at least TRY. I like what Winston Churchill said as he waited patiently for us to enter WWII, “America will always do the right thing just as soon as she has exhausted all other alternatives.”

Sixty eight years ago today, America entered WWII on the tail of the Pearl Harbor attack. When the war ended, we were pretty much the last man standing as the saying goes. Europe was in ruins. The Far East was either convulsed in revolution or in ruins or both. Since we were the only power left mostly unscathed, we did what no other victorious nation of the modern era has ever done, we extended our hands and rebuilt our enemies as well as our allies.

Did we get it right? Yes and no. I feel confident in saying that Japan and Germany would not be as powerful economically as they are today had they been left to their own devices. On the other hand, we made the mistake of trying to remake the world in our image. We are arrogant about our government, our peace, and our opportunities, but it is not a spiteful, vengeful arrogance. It is more a bumbling, oafish arrogance. We want everyone to be as happy as we think we are and sometimes we don’t stop to think about the fact that this country or that nation might not WANT to be like us.

It’s difficult being big and powerful. Even when you try to be the most careful, you still end up bumping people on accident and hurting them. Do we do stupid things? Of course! We’re run by humans. Einstein said that “Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the universe.”

So yes, we have our faults, but would the world be a better place if America collapsed or even had never existed? I don’t think so.
166 Marv in DC
December 7th, 2009 at 12:47 pm

RedMan,
That same description can be used to describe most of the countries in Europe as well.
167 americansun
December 7th, 2009 at 2:42 pm

I think Derek Redmond should be number one… an iconic moment in general.

http://americansun.wordpress.com/
168 Woyzeck
December 7th, 2009 at 2:49 pm

@Shannon (166):
A couple of points:
“America is far from perfect, as people love to point out, but we at least TRY. I like what Winston Churchill said as he waited patiently for us to enter WWII, “America will always do the right thing just as soon as she has exhausted all other alternatives.””

Just to clarify – you understand the irony in that statement, right?

“Sixty eight years ago today, America entered WWII on the tail of the Pearl Harbor attack. When the war ended, we were pretty much the last man standing as the saying goes.”

Indeed you were the only country to profit from the war due to the fact of your being thousands of miles from the theatre of conflict. But you were not the “last man standing”.

“Since we were the only power left mostly unscathed, we did what no other victorious nation of the modern era has ever done, we extended our hands and rebuilt our enemies as well as our allies.”

First of all, it is historically inaccurate to say that “no other victorious nation of the modern era” had ever given aid to their recently defeated enemies. Second of all, for all this touting of the Marshall Plan that we see on here, what most people don’t acknowledge is the fact that that plan essentially bankrupted half of Europe by plunging it into debt that most are still in. Even the UK, supposedly the USA’s closest ally only finished paying it off last year. And look at the effect it has had on British society.
The countries that were conquered by the Nazis are better off economically now than the countries who fought throughout.
Don’t get me wrong, I like America and I like Americans. But god-damn it, this debate has been raging on listverse for months now and we still come back constantly to lies and ignorance on both sides.
169 choadius
December 7th, 2009 at 4:41 pm

A Top 10 Emo Olympic List is a great idea. Unfortunately, the list was buggered up.
The number 4 entry (Black Power Salute) was a poltical stunt that was booed by the crowd in Mexico and was seen as disrespectful. Coming 4 years after the 1964 Civil Rights Act in the United States was passed made the demonstration very late and ill-advised as well.
Perhaps a child (Wilma Rudolph) that had polio and didn’t walk properly until 7 years old winning 3 gold medals in running events would do better in this slot.
Since it’s an Emo list, why isn’t the murder of Israeli athletes in an Olympic Village not in the top 10? It’s hard to get more emotional than that. Oh wait, Muhammad Ali lighting a torch might be more emotional. Just kidding.
170 tolle
December 7th, 2009 at 5:13 pm

I just have to say that number 5 got me the most. Idk why but that quote is amazing. Just giving this great athlete some attention. The miracle on ice is a great moment in american history, but I think it should be shared as the greatest underdog story and show that anything, anything is possible
171 Sean
December 7th, 2009 at 7:35 pm

No Kurt Angle? He won the gold medal in freestyle wrestling with a broken freakin’ neck! It’s true!
172 Shannon
December 7th, 2009 at 8:01 pm

@Woyzeck (169):

Yeah, I got the irony
Still love it though.

Now, you said, “we still come back constantly to lies and ignorance on both sides.”

Well, that’s simply explained really. We love our countries, no matter what countries they may be. In some ways it’s like our family . . . it’s where we’re born and we didn’t have any say in it and a lot of people just have a real nationalistic fervor. In moderation, that’s not such a bad thing, but when it becomes jingoistic, well, then it becomes a problem.

I still stand by my assertions that America has done less harm than good to the world.
173 porkido
December 7th, 2009 at 8:02 pm

It would have been helpful had the Black Power salute been explained…
174 porkido
December 7th, 2009 at 8:09 pm

It’s also much easier to condemn Smith and Carlos if you weren’t Black in 60s America…
175 Mike
December 7th, 2009 at 9:45 pm

It is a mistake not to have Keri Strug on this list….
176 Fred
December 7th, 2009 at 11:42 pm

We should have a “Top Ten Quickest Breakdowns on Listverse Comments.” It really is only a matter of time before pretty much every comment list on every single list breaks down into personal attacks.

Wonder what the average tipping point is? 100 comments? 50? Certainly anything more than 200 comments will start getting a bit whiny.
177 dbrownl
December 8th, 2009 at 12:06 am

you can tell the list is written by an american for americans
178 bwolper
December 8th, 2009 at 2:54 am

I still say add another five or ten to the list. Narrowing this down to just 10 is too limiting.
179 Taash
December 8th, 2009 at 5:12 am

I really really loved this list. I actually cried like baby!!!
180 Sensekhmet
December 8th, 2009 at 5:50 am

Shannon and Woyzeck: every ‘normal’ human being believes, deep down inside, that he (and his group, community, whatever) is basically ‘better’ than ‘others’. It’s only natural. It’s also natural to frown (even if just mentally) when someone comes out and says ‘I’m/we’re the best, not you’. America has that ‘in your face’ attidute when it comes to bearing the ‘we’re the best’ message and that makes a lot of people frown, that’s all.
181 Lechuck
December 8th, 2009 at 6:02 am

Kerri Strugg was the definition of what it means to be an olympian.
182 abebe bikila
December 8th, 2009 at 6:40 am
183 RedMan
December 8th, 2009 at 12:05 pm

@Shannnon How can you say that a nation that wiped out other civilizations has done more good than bad? America still continues to do the same thing today but only under blanket of secrecy. Also America would not have won ww2 had it not been for the Natives both in Europe and the Pacific areas. You are right though if one were too look at other nations in regards to my earlier statement. My problem is that America still tries to hide it. Even while going to school the history books all said that we the Natives started the wars which is bull. I recently looked through my nephews history book and it said the same thing. If America would just own up to it’s treaties that were made and tell the world the truth I would be happy. It wasn’t just Americans who wiped us out other countries did as well. Most west coast tribes were either wiped or converted into catholicism by the Spanish. Same as with South America it was almost entirely conquered by Spain. Anyway I have said my piece and shall now go.
184 FATSEXY
December 8th, 2009 at 12:39 pm

This list sucks.
185 Shannon
December 8th, 2009 at 12:56 pm

@RedMan (184):
I totally agree with you. What was done to the Native Americans is beyond excuse and you are right when you say that little if anything has been done to correct any of the multitude of broken treaties, broken promises, and outright lies perpetrated on the Natives by the White men in North America and South America. What makes matters all that much worse is no one in Washington seems to have any concern for the fact and no idea what to do so many proud people languish on reservations that are a pittance of the land they once controlled. I wish I knew of a solution.

@Sensekhmet (181):
You are all too right, of course. Americans as a general rule are terribly boorish, especially when they go abroad. I liken most ultrapatriots to the nueveau riche who just can’t seem to mesh with “polite” society.
186 Lizzie
December 8th, 2009 at 4:55 pm

The years should have been included just to put the events in perspective of what was happening at the time other than the olympics.
187 Romania
December 9th, 2009 at 1:36 am

I think Nadia Comaneci should be included in that list!
188 Jody
December 9th, 2009 at 5:40 am

@soreheid (118): I agree, i think that Cathy Freeman should have made it on this list.
189 Pablo
December 9th, 2009 at 12:39 pm

I truly, positively, honestly HATE the olympics. So much fuzz.
190 dahfug
December 10th, 2009 at 1:44 am

RULON GARDNER!?
191 GTT
December 10th, 2009 at 9:21 am

OK, I´ll side with the very few people who have no real love for the Olympics. It´s just so commercial now…

In any case, I liked this list. There were some truly heart-warming moments… #8 (Pyambu Tuul), #5 (John Stephen Akhwari) and #3 (Derek Redmond) were my favorites. You want to talk about true spirit and soul? These were the moments.

I´m also torn about the inclusion of #4. I understand the perceived significance but what about the fact that the Black Panthers were in fact a very violent group? Can you support violence in the name of a cause? What if it´s a cause that you dont particularly agree with but which has a large following?
192 Anonymous
December 11th, 2009 at 1:16 am

Maybe there would be more comments about #2 if readers knew that Luz Long died at WW2 defending Germany abroad a few years before the war had ended…?
193 Anonymous
December 11th, 2009 at 1:18 am

This list is too USA-centric which is frankly a bit too corny!
194 8rustystaples
December 11th, 2009 at 1:51 pm

The massacre of the Israeli athletes in Munich didn’t make the list? Seriously?
195 ants1
December 11th, 2009 at 4:47 pm

@osbern (29):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-54kLxeO8Q

Couldnt agree more, really suprised to no see it on the list because he really had to dig deep to win and you have to think that perhaps the thought of his wife gave him that extra 8 kgs he hadnt lifted before.

Plus that celebration, pure instinct, fantastic to watch.
196 VikingBerserker
December 12th, 2009 at 11:59 pm

(69) “stupidest” is not a word, dumba**
197 coolian2
December 15th, 2009 at 12:18 am

was it an australian on the podium in #4? i thought it was a new zealander.
198 mmudryk
December 15th, 2009 at 11:47 am

Good list!

What about the Sale/Pelletier and Berezhnaia/Sikharulidze scandal at Salt Lake? I’ll admit it was more emotional for the Canadian population than most others – but to be so blatantly denied a gold medal after arguably one of the best skates of their careers, that has to hit home for more than just me! I remember watching it on tv and being in shock that a routine with an incomplete jump could beat a seemingly perfect one!
199 Teapixie
December 19th, 2009 at 5:20 am

Peter Norman was an Australian, and he did share his gloves, as a gesture of goodwill. I think another couple of very emotional moments for Aussies would be Dean Lukin winning gold at the 84(?) games for weightlifting, and Kieran Perkins gold in 96, when he only just qualified for the 1500 metres and came out not only winning gold, but broke his own world record. That one had my friends and I cheering and dancing around McDonalds.
200 Marita
January 2nd, 2010 at 4:42 pm

That Swiss (?!?!) finishing the marathon barely standing up. That is an emotional moment.
201 lilmiss
January 9th, 2010 at 1:06 pm

Jacob: I agree. As a gymnast, Kerri Strug was the first person I thought of. I liked this list, though. It was interesting.
202 Ligia
January 15th, 2010 at 11:58 am

I don’t know if anybody mentioned Nadia Comaneci.
“Nadia Comaneci (Romania) and the first perfect ten in the history” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m2YT-PIkEc&feature=related
203 pintail131
January 15th, 2010 at 12:31 pm

bob beamon
204 Ironcross
February 14th, 2010 at 7:55 pm

The funny thing is Team USA did not win the gold by beating the Russkies. And after the loss the Russians skated around the rink confused as to all the hubub, clearly they had no clue how AFRAID the US was in having to skate against them because of the way the idiotic announcers made them all seem like Hercules. It was the perserverance of the players to shut that garbage out and play their game
205 Orange
February 24th, 2010 at 12:05 pm

There is one fine and subtle moment in Olympic history that deserves a special mention: Lithuanian basketball team fighting for the bronze medal against it’s former oppressor Russia and winning it. Young country’s team had almost no budget at all and had difficulties to raise money to come to Barcelona.
206 thorlite
February 28th, 2010 at 3:58 pm

How about Canada beating the US at ice hockey ?

Bravo Canada, great team spirit!
207 nathaaan90
April 18th, 2010 at 8:36 am

Brilliant list. Some great stories of courage and determination. Nice one
208 Corrine
June 4th, 2010 at 1:56 am

Was that really necessary?

I mean, i'm Canadian, but even I take offense to that. I have a lot of American friends, and they're really nice people, and none of them are obese, stupid or racist.

Yeah, this list was really cheesy (especially that line XD), and though the Miracle on Ice wasn't really significant to the rest of the world the way it was to America, it does mean a lot to them.

Just saying, would it kill you to be nice?

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