A sportswriter lists the most memorable Olympic performances of the modern Games. Sure, you've heard of Nadia Comaneci, Mark Spitz, and Jesse Owens, but are you familiar with Abebe Bikila, Emil Zatopek, and the other past Olympic stars? What other Olympic performances would you add to the list? http://www.sportingo.com/olympic-games/a9858_top-ten-greatest-olympic-moments -via Digg
Senegalese Alphonse Goomis giant slalom run in the 92 Albertville games.
Against all odds (no snow in Senegal!), after only 6 years of ski, with no sponsor or support, he managed barely to keep his balance and finished the race.
"The important thing is not to win, but to take part."
Pierre de Coubertin.
Never forget watching this moment as a kid.
This was just after the King assassination - the Olympic committee did not understand the anger, so they banned the two players.
Even the White player got in trouble for supporting them
And after Dick Fosbury did the Fosbury flop, every kid in our neighborhood was out doing it. That very day.
How about Rafer Johnson and C.K. Yang's titanic battle in the Decathlon? Edwin Moses' last heroic stand, or even Carl Lewis' last swan song where he went out as he started, on top after a long time in the sport? That's just track and field. What about other sports, like Shun Fujimoto who scored a 9.7 on the gymnastic rings by nailing a perfect 8 foot landing with a broken knee, helping his team win the gold in Montreal?
along the lines of Christophe's comments- Eddie "the Eagle" Edwards the British skijumper at Calgary in '88.