Memorable Moments

Beijing 2008
Countdown: No. 1 Phelps goes 8-for-8Michael Phelps set the gold standard by winning eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Games. More » Countdown: No. 1 Phelps goes 8-for-8

The greatness of Jesse Owens wasn't just that he won four gold medals in Hitler's backyard. It's also how he won – with class. More » Countdown: No. 2 Jesse Owens winning four golds in front of Hitler

Atlanta 1996
Countdown: No. 3 Kerri Strug's courageous vaultRunning, springing, landing on an injured ankle, Kerri Strug produced the most perfect example of the Olympic ideal at the '96 Games in Atlanta. More » Countdown: No. 3 Kerri Strug's courageous vault

Munich 1972
Countdown: No. 5 Munich MassacreSome moments are memorable for heroics. The Munich Games are remembered for a tragedy that took 12 lives. More » Countdown: No. 5 Munich Massacre

Montreal 1976
Countdown: No. 4 Nadia's perfect 10Being first is always memorable, and Nadia Comăneci will forever be the first gymnast to score a perfect 10 in the Olympics. More » Countdown: No. 4 Nadia's perfect 10

Los Angeles 1984
Countdown: No. 6 Mary Lou Retton becomes America's sweetheartThe countdown continues with Mary Lou Retton, the first U.S. woman to ever win gymnastics all-around gold. More » Countdown: No. 6 Mary Lou Retton becomes America's sweetheart

Munich 1972
Countdown: No. 7 Spitz sets gold standardNext in the Memorable Moments countdown is Mark Spitz winning seven gold medals at the 1972 Munich Games. More » Countdown: No. 7 Spitz sets gold standard

Barcelona 1992
Countdown: No. 8 The Dream TeamYahoo! Sports is counting down the most memorable moments in Summer Olympics history, as voted on by you, the readers. More » Countdown: No. 8 The Dream Team

Montreal 1976
Bruce Jenner wins decathlon gold in MontrealBruce Jenner dedicated four years of his life to winning decathlon gold, and investment that paid off in spades. For those two days of perfection garnered Jenner a lifetime of celebrity. More » Bruce Jenner wins decathlon gold in Montreal
Mexico City 1968
Raised fistsForty-four years later, the image of Tommie Smith and John Carlos standing on the medal podium, black-gloved fists raised in the air, remains the most iconic image an Olympics has ever produced. More » Raised fists
The 20-year-old American stood strong against a powerhouse Cuban and emerged as the victor, with ease. More » Sugar Ray Leonard's greatest win as a boxer came in the 1976 Olympics

Los Angeles 1984
Carl Lewis' quest for four golds in '84Carl Lewis' goal for the 1984 Games was simple in its definition, nearly impossible in its execution: win four Olympic gold medals just like Jesse Owens had done 48 years earlier. More » Carl Lewis' quest for four golds in '84

Atlanta 1996
Muhammad Ali shocks the worldMuhammad Ali lighting the Olympic cauldron in Atlanta was a complete secret, even to his family. More » Muhammad Ali shocks the world
Munich 1972
Three seconds of chaosTwice the United States basketball team celebrated winning a gold medal in 1972, but a controversial finish ended with the Soviet Union as the Olympic champions. More » Three seconds of chaos

Beijing 2008
Beijing's greatest show on EarthChina introduced the world to Beijing in the grandest scale via its Opening Ceremony in 2008 that cost more than $100 million. More » Beijing's greatest show on Earth

Beijing 2008
Usain Bolt's 'wow' momentIn 9.69 seconds, Usain Bolt won a gold medal, broke a world record and managed to show off some personality to boot. More » Usain Bolt's 'wow' moment

Florence Griffith-Joyner set two world records at the 1988 Olympic Games that still stand today. More » FloJo's legacy very much alive 24 years after her triumphs in Seoul
Atlanta 1996
Michael Johnson's golden shoes lead to double goldMichael Johnson took over the 1996 Olympics, winning unprecedented gold in the 200 and 400. More » Michael Johnson's golden shoes lead to double gold
The darling of the 2000 games after winning five medals, Jones became a symbol for all that was wrong in sport after it was revealed she used PEDs. More » Marion Jones' rise played out on the world's biggest stage; so did her fall

Los Angeles 1984
Mary Decker vs. Zola BuddMary Decker and Zola Budd entered the 3000 meters as the favorites. Neither left with a medal in one of the most controversial Olympic moments ever. More » Mary Decker vs. Zola Budd
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