Seeing each of these athletes, and learning about their stories of hope, resilience and endurance has us sentimental about all of the legendary Olympians who have come before — and now, we’re taking the time to celebrate them.
For centuries, the Olympic Games have brought the entire world together, with athletes showing their strength and endurance in countless sports. We’ve witnessed the birth of so many of sports’ stars, and watched history-making moments on our TV screens as cameras captured every move and second. For instance, do you remember when Michael Phelps won his first gold medal? What about his last? Where were you when Simone Biles clinched the All-Around gold medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016?
Increasingly, celebs are eager to get in on the fan action, too — from A-listers like Chrissy Teigen and Lady Gaga in the stands at Paris, to big-name correspondents covering the events. (Hi Snoop Dogg!) Katie Couric even reflected on her first time covering the Olympics, back in 1992, in a recent essay.
An even greater throwback, can you remember Kerri Strug completing her vault after tearing two ligaments in her ankle, securing the Team gold medal in gymnastics for the USA at the 1996 Atlanta games? Whatever year it was, there was always an inspiring story coming out of the Olympic Games.
Regardless of when they happened, the Olympics can always ensure plenty of incredible stories we will never forget. After so much hard work and determination, we’re celebrating the ordinary citizens who dared to dream and took their athleticism to the Olympic games!
Take a look through some Olympians through the decades with the photographs below, ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
A version of this article was originally published on July 2021.
Jesse Owens
In this Aug. 14, 1936, file photo, American sprint star Jesse Owens is shown in action during one of the heats of the 200-meter run in Berlin. He won the final with a new Olympic record of 20.7 seconds. Owens won a total of four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics.
At the time, Adolf Hitler intended for this international stage to be a showcase for his biggoted theory on Aryan excellence. But it was Owens who stunned everyone at the Track and Field Showcase. It was an incredibly significant demonstration of athleticism, as Owens clinched the long jump, 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash, finally adding his fourth gold: 4×100 relay.
Sammy Lee
In this Aug. 5, 1948 file photo, Sammy Lee dives from the tower of the Empire Pool at Wembley, England, in the Olympic diving competition in the 1948 London Olympics. Lee became the first Asian-American athlete to win a medal at the Olympics games. He earned two gold medals and one bronze between his appearances at the 1948 and 1952 Olymipcs.
Mary T. Meagher
American swimmer Mary Terstegge Meagher, known as Mary T. Meagher, left, celebrates after winning the gold medal next to compatriot Jenna Johnsson, right, who won silver in the Women’s 100 Meter Butterfly final at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles on Aug. 2, 1984.
Between the 1984 and 1988 Olympics, Meagher won five gold medals — three gold, one silver, and one bronze. Meagher won her three gold medals at the 1984 Olymipcs, and earned the nickname “Madame Butterfly” for her impressive athleticism in the pool.
Florence Griffith Joyner
In this Sept. 25, 1988, file photo, Florence Griffith Joyner celebrates her victory in the 100-meter dash at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea. She was clocked at 10.54 seconds, to break an Olympic record! Nicknamed Flo-Jo and leaving a legacy of style, poise, and absolute relentlessnes on the track, Griffith Joyner won three gold medals and two silver medals between the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. Her legacy and effervescent style has been so impactful that Serena Williams paid tribute to her with her 2021 Australian Open outfit.
Carl Lewis
In this July 29, 1996, file photo, Carl Lewis of the United States celebrates after his third jump in the men’s long jump final at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. From the 1984 Olympics all the way to 1996, Lewis was dominant on track and field. He won nine gold medals and only one silver during his Olympic career. He excelled at long-jump, for which he won four consecutive gold medals. If you can believe it, the only time Lewis finished worse than first…was when he won his only silver medal!
Kerri Strug
In this July 23, 1996, file photo, U.S. gymnastics coach Bela Karolyi carries injured Kerri Strug following the awarding ceremony at the women’s team gymnastics competition at the Centennial Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. Strug is basically a U.S. gymnastics legend. During the 1996 Olympics, Strug tore ligaments in her ankle after she fell while trying to land her vault dismount.
When she went back to the vault, it was clear she was struggling. Nevertheless, she ran down the path, executed her vault and stuck her landing, all while in immense pain from her ankle! Strug’s heroics clinched the Team gold medal for gymnastics at the 1996 Olympics.
Mia Hamm
Mia Hamm was basically the face of U.S. soccer in the late ’90s, and her performance at three Olympics definitely secured her place in U.S. soccer history. Hamm led the team to their first gold-medal victory at the 1996 Olymipcs — the first time in which soccer was an Olympic sport. The U.S. women’s soccer team won consecutive gold medals in 1996 and 2000. Hamm ended her Olympics career in 2004, winning the silver medal with her team.
Lisa Leslie
For four years in a row, Lisa Leslie led the American Women’s Basketball team to victory at the Olympics. Playing in the 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008 games, each year Leslie and her team beat out the opposition.
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant left an enduring legacy following his tragic January 2020 death. Among his long list of accomplishments were the two gold medals he and the American Men’s Basketball Team won in 2008 and 2012 — two years in a row! It wasn’t just Bryant who was leading the team, as you’ll see on the next slide.
LeBron James
Talk about one dynamic duo, Bryant and James were two of the biggest stars on the U.S. Men’s Basketball team in 2008 and 2012. Prior to his 2008 and 2012 gold medals, Lebron and the U.S. Men’s Basketball team earned the bronze medal at the 2004 Athens Olymipcs.
Dara Torres
Before Michael Phelps was racking up some serious medals, Dara Torres was making waves in the Olympic water. The decorated athlete began her Olympics career in 1984, winning her first gold medal. In total, Torres has earned four gold medals, four silver medals, and four bronze medals! Her final appearance on the Olympics’ stage came in 2008, where she won silver medals and did it all just over a year after giving birth!
Nastia Liukin
Nastia Liukin only attended one Olymipcs. But her performance at the 2008 games is nonetheless inspiring. Liukin took home five medals — one gold, three silver, and one bronze — from the Olympic games held in Beijing. Liukin even bested fellow American Shawn Johnson to take gold in the individual all-around.
Venus & Serena Williams
We already know that Venus and Serena Williams are the queens of the tennis court. But along with their combined 30 Grand Slam titles in singles and 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, they’ve also won back-to-back gold medals in doubles in 2008 and 2012. Not many tennis GOATs can say that!
Michael Phelps
Lauded as one of the greatest Olympians of all time, Michael Phelps has a record-setting 22 medals over the course of four Olympic games. Of his hardware, the swimmer has 18 gold medals, two silver, and two bronze. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics alone, Phelps won a whopping eight gold medals in total!
Misty May-Treanor & Kerri Walsh
On the sands of the volleyball court, there was rarely a match Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh couldn’t handle. This dynamic duo really elevated the sport and showed their endurence and athleticism. They won three consecutive gold medals and only dropped on set the three Olympics they played together in 2004, 2008, and 2012.
Katie Ledecky
Undoubtedly one of the breakout stars of the 2016 Olympic games, Kate Ledecky has proven she’s a champion in the Olympic water. The swimmer made her debut at the 2012 Olympic games in London, where she won her first gold medal in the 800 meter freestyle event. Four years later, Ledecky was back and she didn’t only defend her title, she added three more gold medals along with a silver!
Aly Raisman
In the two Olympic games she attended, Aly Raisman won some impressive medals. She earned a gold medal at the 2012 Olympic games for her floor exercise along with the overall team medal for the U.S. She also won the bronze medal for her balance beam showcase. At the 2016 Rio de Janeiro games, Raisman’s team went on to win the Team gold while she took silver in All-Around and Floor Exercise.
Along with her performances on the mat, Raisman has been an incredible advocate for changing the culture of U.S.A. gymnastics after a system of predatory sexual abuse was uncovered. She’s used her platform with inspiring courage, and we cannot help but applaud that.
Simone Biles
Simone Biles skyrocketed to fame following the 2016 Olympic games, and she’s ready to be back for the 2020 games held in Tokyo this year! In her debut Olympic appearance, Biles won four gold medals for Vault, Floor Exercise, All-Around, and for the U.S. Team. She also took home a bronze medal for her balance beam performance. We cannot wait to see what she accomplishes this year!
Tara Lipinski
At the 1998 Winter Olympics, Tara Lipinski competed in the ladies’ singles figure skating event; and on Feb 20, 1998, she won the gold medal in ladies’ singles figure skating, becoming the youngest individual gold medalist in history at the time.
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