Olympic Games
The greatest moments in olympic games.
10 moments in this segment.
- — Miracle on Ice. February 22, 1980. US college-age hockey team beats USSR 4-3 at Lake Placid Olympics. "Do you believe in miracles? YES!" — Al Michaels's call is the most-quoted line in American sports broadcasting.
- — USA Hockey 1980 — Buzzer. Final 30 seconds of the Miracle on Ice. "Do you believe in miracles? YES!" The build-up to the buzzer is one of the most-rewatched 30 seconds of sports footage anywhere.
- — All Blacks Win First Rugby World Cup. June 20, 1987, Auckland. New Zealand beat France 29-9 to win the inaugural Rugby World Cup. Defining moment of Pacific rugby; the haka becomes the defining pre-match ritual of world rugby.
- — Kerri Strug Vault on One Ankle. July 23, 1996, Atlanta Olympics. Kerri Strug sticks the vault landing on a severely sprained ankle — securing US women's team gymnastics gold. Bela Karolyi carries her to the medal ceremony.
- — Phelps 7th Gold — Lezak Anchor. August 11, 2008, Beijing. Jason Lezak's impossible anchor leg in the 4×100 freestyle relay. Touched out France by 0.08 seconds; preserved Michael Phelps's 8-gold run. Considered the greatest anchor leg in Olympic swimming history.
- — Lin Dan vs Lee Chong Wei — Olympic Final. August 5, 2012, London. Lin Dan beats Lee Chong Wei for Olympic badminton gold. Most replayed badminton match in YouTube history; defined modern racket-sports rivalry.
- — Phelps Death Stare at Le Clos. August 8, 2016. Rio. Michael Phelps in the ready room before the 200m butterfly final — Chad le Clos shadow-boxing in front of him. Phelps stares him down. Becomes a meme; Phelps wins the gold.
- — Springboks Win RWC 2019. November 2, 2019, Yokohama. South Africa beat England 32-12 to win their 3rd Rugby World Cup. Siya Kolisi — the first Black Springbok captain — lifts the trophy 25 years after apartheid ended.
- — Simone Biles — Bronze on Beam. August 3, 2021, Tokyo. Biles withdraws from team competition for mental health; returns to win bronze on beam. The smile at the medal ceremony — a different kind of victory.
- — Simone Biles — Paris Comeback. July-August 2024, Paris. Biles wins three golds and a silver — making her the most decorated American gymnast ever (11 Olympic medals). The redemption arc the world watched.
