1964 Tokyo Games.
Billy Mills, 10,000m, comes from 3rd to win in the final 100m with a tremendous burst. He became the first American to win a 10k in the Olympics. Mills also beat his personal best in the event by an incredible 46 seconds.
Post your favorite.
Link - (
New Window )
Also, the original Dream Team. 'I don't know anything about Angola, but Angola's in trouble.-The Chuckster.
But for memory, maybe the (original) George Foreman running around the ring with a little American flag?
Or being so fucking pissed off (still) that the refs rigged the 1972 Gold medal basketball game.
Michael johnson winning 200 and 400
or
phelps winning in Beijing, specifically the relay where they came from behind
Link - ( New Window )
In the second event, Phelps had his hardest challenge: the 4x100 men's freestyle relay. The French team were the favorites, they talked a lot of trash going into the event, and they had Alain Bernard as their anchor-- then (or former) world record holder in the 100m freestyle.
France took the lead over USA in the third leg with Bernard diving into the pool. And, yet, somehow, Jason Lezak, the veteran anchor chased down Bernard for an epic win and it kept Phelps's quest alive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpuzRseheFg - ( New Window )
How Dad died when he was young.
From the YouTube comments:
"Billy Mills said in an interview I heard on the radio show "On Being" that he saw an eagle on one of his competitors shirt as he neared the end of the race.
He thought of his father who had passed away and took inspiration from that to win.
After the race he went to look for the racer with the eagle emblem and the eagle was not there on the shirt."
wow
Not a single event but the 1976 Boxing finals were phenonmenal. Sugar Ray Leonard and the Spinks brothers etc. Five USA golds. Leon Spinks and a Cuban whaled on each other like Hagler and Hearns.
Wottle - ( New Window )
Lived out his life in service to other Native Americans and high school distance runners. Many said her remained humble and gracious throughout his life.
What the Olympics is about at its best.
btw, Ron Clarke was a great great distance runner. And Gammoudi was no slouch either. Both were like top 10 of all time. That's like beating the equivalent of Usian Bolt and Carl Lewis in one race
2008
Swimming getting more mentions than I thought it would.
Quote:
Lezak coming from behind.
2008
F*** France - ( New Window )
This is mine as well. I wasn't old enough to appreciate the miracle on ice.
But one that always stands out is when he asks the Spanish (?) reporter to hold off interviewing him so he could respect the US National Anthem.
One of the most dominant athletes of our generation, and one with great sportsmanship
I'm not even sure why it's a memory or a big deal, tbh.
What a dominant great champion Karelin was. That move where he lifted and head slammed opponents was so feared guys went in with the goal of not being victim to that
Swimming getting more mentions than I thought it would.
Irrelevant. Every American was hockey fan that night in Lake Placid.
Vague memories of the 1968 Olympics but that's one of them. Jim Ryun, who was a big favorite vainly trying to catch Kip Keino, and not coming close. The other memory I have of that Olympics, strangely enough, is a walking event where the crowd went wild chanting Mexico! Mexico! for their guy who I think finished second. No recall of Bob Beamon or Lee Evans much less the Smith/Carlos stuff.
1972 was the first Olympics I really recall in any detail. And probably more shit went down at that one then all the others combined.
Franz Klammer downhill 1976 was insane
Franz Klammer 1976 Innsbruck Mens downhill.
The Kaiser - ( New Window )
Quote:
& his old man came out of the stands & helped him across the finish line. 1992 perhaps?
This is mine as well. I wasn't old enough to appreciate the miracle on ice.
I also really loved that moment between father and son on the track. Very poignent.
Franz Klammer 1976 Innsbruck Mens downhill. The Kaiser - ( New Window )
Make that a plus 3. A college roomate buddy and I, who've stayed in good contact all these years, somehow got to reminiscing about Franz Klammer's downhill in '76.
Yeah that was one hell of a barn burner sports moment.
Almost equal to Eli to Tyree or Eli to Manningham.
I feel as if I've just blasphemed.😉
Absolutley!!