If you're an Olympics junkie like me, then you're probably salivating for the Beijing Games to start on August 8, 2008, at 8:08 pm. Every four years I just can't get enough of the Olympics. Everything about the Games gets my blood pumping--the big-name athletes favored to win, the lesser-known athletes who perform stunning upsets, the heartbreaking losses, the acts of heroic sportsmanship, the heartwarming back stories, and, of course, the inspirational moments that rise forth in every Game to become part of our collective human story.
In the spirit of the Games, Beliefnet has gathered together the 15 most inspirational Olympic moments. There are stories and athletes in this gallery that you won't forget: Kerri Strug and the "Miracle on Ice." There are ones that will jog your memory, like the Jamaican bobsled team and Derek Redmond. And then there are inspirational moments that you may not remember at all, but upon reading about them in this gallery, you'll see why they had to be included.
So check out this gallery and get inspired all over again. And if you think we missed any, leave your comment below.
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What about Katarina Witt's skating to "Where Have All The Flowers" to honor the memory of Sarajevo now that it lay in ruins due to war?
The absent two that stand out the most in my mind are (#2) the Chinese gymnast who finished his routine on the rings with a perfect landing on a fractured leg (was it Li Ning?) and (#1) Bruce Jenner coming around the final turn in the 1500 meters, the last event of the decathlon, in Montreal in 1976. Jenner had already clinched the gold and only needed to finish in the top 5 or 6, I believe, but gave the event 100%, grimacing in pain as he rounded the last turn, and winning the race. For me, that's as good an example as we've seen of the commitment to best personal effort as the heart of the Olympic spirit.
Well, I think BeliefNet came up with a nice list.
However, as far as spirituality is concerned, the resistance to Hitler expressed in the 1936 Olympics...by many athletes, not just Jesse Owens, remains a strong spiritual stance against oppression.
I don't know that it is appropriate to put any other act on that level.
Especially, the resistance of German athletes of Jewish descent, who actually put their lives on the line in order to resist Hitler.
Less well known stories, but acts of incredible heroism.
Certainly Jim McKay's reporting of the Munich attacks was deeply moving.
And many of the stories that were reported were moving as well.
What some folks don't seem to know about Kerri Strug's moment, is that Bela Karoli was accused of child abuse. And there is a great deal of controversy about the methods used to train these gymnasts...specifically that they are exceedingly dangerous and have led to many spinal cord injuries and other horrible injuries. While Kerri Strug is obviously heroic, is the coach who encouraged her to break her foot heroic...or just basically a guy who cares more about victory than someone's health. What if the leg didn't just break, but she was permanently crippled? Is that ok? And how does a young woman, under that kind of international pressure, refuse to vault?
So, choosing that as the number one incident may be popular, but within that story are serious allegations of coaches pushing athletes way too far...and that backed up by families who sought legal remedies for the harm that those practices caused them.
Ok, maybe that is a little bit of being a killjoy. But, really, the kind of programs that they run these gymnasts through..and at such young, young ages...seems more like putting kids in military training, than it does like kids enjoying athletic competition. And by kids...I mean kids...6, 7, 8 years old.
What about the movie American Flyers with Kevin Kostner? A great movie about bike racing? I thought that was great! They aren't just riding tricycles you know!
alot happened to peter norman in australia. He was not a popular man and was blacklisted from any olympics. Anyways, his nephew made a documentary on him. I didnt even know who he was until i saw his nephew on tv talking about him. I think back then they had alot of racism going on in oz, what with the lost generations and all so they didnt like the fact that he was supporting the cause.
Also, I'd like to know if you know a runner that ran a race where he was winning, but then something happened to another runner and he went back to help him out and then went on to win the race. I dont remember his Nationality or what race it was or what olympics.
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