Jesse Owens at the 1936 Berlin Olympics: Owens won four gold medals in track and field, defying Adolf Hitler’s notion of Aryan supremacy.
Michael Phelps at the 2008 Beijing Olympics: Phelps won a record eight gold medals in swimming, breaking Mark Spitz’s record of seven golds in a single Olympics.
Usain Bolt at the 2008 Beijing Olympics: Bolt broke the world record and won gold medals in the 100-meter, 200-meter, and 4×100-meter relay events, solidifying his status as the world’s fastest man.
Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman in the 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle”: Ali used his “rope-a-dope” technique to defeat Foreman and win the heavyweight boxing title.
Roger Bannister’s sub-four-minute mile in 1954: Bannister broke the seemingly impossible barrier by running a mile in under four minutes, setting a world record that lasted for only 46 days.
Nadia Comăneci at the 1976 Montreal Olympics: Comăneci became the first gymnast to score a perfect 10.0 in an Olympic event, ultimately winning three gold medals.
Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal in the 1986 World Cup: Maradona scored one of the most controversial goals in soccer history, using his hand to punch the ball into the net, but it was not detected by the officials.
Tiger Woods’ dominant performance at the 1997 Masters: Woods won his first major championship by a record 12 strokes, becoming the youngest player and first non-white player to win the Masters.
Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game in 1962: Chamberlain set the NBA record for most points scored in a game, a record that still stands today.
Bobby Orr’s Stanley Cup-winning goal in 1970: Orr scored one of the most iconic goals in hockey history, flying through the air after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime of the Stanley Cup Finals.
