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
olympics
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
Kerri Strug, Despite Ankle Sprain, Wins Gymnastics Gold for U.S. July 23, 1996
By landing a solid vault on a sprained ankle, Kerri Strug enabled the U.S. to win its first gold medal in the Womens Gymnastics team all around competition. Before she even attempted the vault, Kerri Strug knew that the landing was going to hurt like hell. But the pain was only temporary and her heroic accomplishment will be remembered … [Read more...] about Kerri Strug, Despite Ankle Sprain, Wins Gymnastics Gold for U.S. July 23, 1996
Perfect 10 for Nadia – July, 18 1976
Nadia Comaneci scored a perfect 10, competing on the uneven bars at the Montreal Olympics; July 18, 1976. A few months shy of her 15th birthday, barely five feet tall, and weighing in at 88 pounds (soaking wet); the tiny Roumanian gymnast in addition to memorizing the judges, stole the hearts of an international audience that numbered in the hundreds of millions. … [Read more...] about Perfect 10 for Nadia – July, 18 1976