https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dFgH_vDh6E Joan Benoit was the winner of the the gold medal in the marathon at the 1984 Olympics. It was the first time in Olympic history when women competed in that event. The Men's Marathon has been a part of the modern Olympics since its inception in 1896. That's not to say that women hadn't tried to compete in the Olympic … [Read more...] about 1984 Olympics First Women’s Marathon August 5, 1984
Olympics
1936 Olympics Open, Nazis Rule August 1, 1936
Nazi Germany hosted the 1936 Olympics. On August 1 of that year, Adolph Hitler welcomed the world to Berlin for two weeks of fun, and nothing but fun, with just a little bit of political propaganda thrown in. In 2011 on the 75th anniversary of the Berlin Olympics, Frank Deford wrote in Sports Illustrated: While, of course, nothing can approach the horror of the … [Read more...] about 1936 Olympics Open, Nazis Rule August 1, 1936
U.S. Olympic Boxing Team Wins 5 Gold Medals July 31,1976
The U.S. Olympic boxing team won seven medals on the night of July 31, 1976. The haul for the American fighters included five gold, one silver, and one bronze. Several members of the 1976 team went on to win professional championships, including Boxing of Fame member Michael Spinks and his brother Leon Spinks. After turning professional, Leon Spinks won the heavyweight … [Read more...] about U.S. Olympic Boxing Team Wins 5 Gold Medals July 31,1976
Carl Lewis Wins 9th and Last Gold July 29, 1996
Carl Lewis won the gold medal in the long jump at the Olympics in Atlanta, on July 29, 1996. Lewis had previously won the gold in the long jump at the 1984, 1988, and 1992 Olympics. Only three other athletes have won individual gold medals in four consecutive Olympics. Danish sailor Paul Elvstrom did it in 1948, 1952, 1956, and 1960. American discuss thrower Al Oerter won his … [Read more...] about Carl Lewis Wins 9th and Last Gold July 29, 1996
Bob Mathias Repeats Gold – July 26, 1952
After winning the Gold in the decathlon for the U.S., at the 1948 London Olympics, Bob Mathias delivered a repeat performance at the Helsinki Games. Although he finished 8th in the 1,500 meters on July 26, 1952; the last of the grueling, 2 day, 10 event competition; Mathias had built enough of a lead in the prior events to to break the world decathlon record along the way to … [Read more...] about Bob Mathias Repeats Gold – July 26, 1952