The Top 10 Performances in Sports History
- 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.
