Historic Sports Moments
June 13, 2024
Nadia Comaneci Becomes a Star With a Perfect Score
From the Olympic Games in ancient Greece to medieval jousting tournaments, sports have given people a way to test their physical abilities, while also serving as a form of entertainment that brings people together.
Over the centuries sports have evolved from straight forward tests of might to something more abstract. While many of today's athletes use the latest technology, advanced equipment, and sponsors to help them achieve their goals, there are millions of spectators who simply enjoy sports because healthy competition can bring out the best in people. At the same time, many have the goal of one day becoming the athlete who gets to shine in the arena or stand on the podium. Let's peel back the curtain and take a look at some of the most iconic sports moments in history.
Having grown up in Romania in the 1960s, Nadia Comaneci lived under communist rule. When she was 6, she was identified by Bela Karolyi (who later coached in the U.S.) as a potential talent. She soon became a force to be reckoned with, competing nationally and regionally.
In 1976, she became recognized on a global scale. During the Montreal Olympics, she was the first gymnast to score a perfect 10.0. Some people didn't even think that a perfect score was possible in the sport, and the scoreboard wasn't programmed to reflect that score. It showed 1.00 instead of 10.0. Comaneci ended up winning three gold medals, one silver, and one bronze.
Comaneci is the youngest gymnast to have won a gold medal in the Olympics. The minimum age for athletes in the sport has been raised since she competed, so she will likely continue to hold that record.
The Fastest Woman on Earth: Betty Robinson
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Young girls today can dream of becoming Olympic gold medalists and professionals in their sports, thanks to early pioneers. When Betty Robinson was a child, women weren't allowed to participate in track and field events in the Olympics. This changed in 1928 during the Amsterdam Olympics, and Robinson was ready to shine, despite her young age of 16.
In just her third official 100-meter competition, Robinson qualified for the final heat. She was the first to cross the tape in the finals with a time of 12.2 seconds, which tied the world record. As the first-ever female 100-meter gold medalist, she became an inspiration to many.
Robinson suffered major injuries during a plane crash in 1931 making her unable to compete in the 1932 Olympics, but she did return to the games in 1936. During those games, her relay team took home the gold in the 4 x 100m race.
Muhammad Ali: One of the Greatest of All Time
In 1974, the famous "Rumble in the Jungle" fight took place between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. Ali was victorious, earning the world heavyweight boxing title. This added to his list of accolades, which included a gold-medal performance in the 1960 Olympics. It was an important accomplishment for another reason, as Ali was previously stripped of his heavyweight title in 1967 because he refused to join the military during the Vietnam War.
Muhammad Ali was born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. Raised in Kentucky, he started training as a boxer when he was 12. Known for his larger-than-life personality and trash-talking, he went on to become a cultural icon and earned the nickname of "The Greatest."
The Bambino, The Babe ... A True Legend
Babe Ruth, born George Herman Ruth Jr., was an iconic figure in American sports history. Widely regarded as one of the greatest baseball players of all time, he began his professional baseball career as a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox in 1914, but he's better remembered for his prowess at bat. He hit towering home runs, setting numerous records throughout his career.
In 1919, Ruth was traded to the New York Yankees, where he solidified the team's status as one of the most dominant in baseball history. Some people think this move cursed the Red Sox, as they didn't nail down a championship for 86 years after this transaction. With the Yankees, Ruth concentrated on batting and only rarely had a presence on the mound during games.
During this era Ruth transformed the game, which previously did not see that many home runs. To recognize his impact on the game, his number was retired in 1948. Ruth was the first MLB player to have his number retired.
Bigger! Better! Badder! WrestleMania III
In 1987, the World Wrestling Federation hosted WrestleMania III at the Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan, setting a new indoor attendance record while cementing its place in wrestling history.
During one evening during the wrestling festival, Hulk Hogan took on Andre the Giant, which peaked when Hogan body-slammed Andre the Giant, who weighed around 500 pounds and stood more than 7 feet tall.
Another highlighted feud was between "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat. During WrestleMania III, they competed for the WWF Intercontinental Championship. This match featured some of the most memorable moments of the night - specifically Macho Man's diving elbow drops onto Steamboat.
Jesse Owens: A Beacon of Hope
Since 1981, USA Track & Field has given out the Jesse Owens Award as its highest accolade, which goes to show what kind of influence Owens had on the sport. In fact, his influence extends far beyond the track stadium, as he broke barriers and made statements against racism.
Born in 1913, Owens was the grandson of a former enslaved person. While at Ohio State University, Owens won eight individual NCAA championships. However, he had to live off campus and wasn't allowed to eat at certain restaurants or stay in certain hotels even when traveling with his team. In 1936, he took part in the Olympics in Nazi Germany, winning gold medals in the 100m, 200m, long jump, and 4 x 100m. His success and even just his presence on the world stage was noticed by many in a time in which Hitler was leading his country toward war. Owens was able to advocate for equality, and he inspired many aspiring athletes and activists.
Winning a Gold Medal in Mismatched Shoes
Source: Instagram/historydailypix
Jim Thorpe was one of the most prominent Native American athletes in history. As a youth, he excelled in multiple sports, perhaps foreshadowing his future success as a pentathlete and decathlete, and after playing college football at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School he went on to play in the NFL. In 1912, he traveled to Stockholm with the U.S. Olympic team. Thorpe became the first Native American to win Olympic gold.
In this picture, Thorpe is shown wearing mismatched shoes that are two different sizes. His shoes had been stolen right before his competition, so he had to scavenge through discarded shoes to find ones that would somewhat fit. Clearly, this didn't impede him too much since he won the decathlon by a considerable margin.
The Iron Horse, Lou Gehrig, Shows Appreciation
Lou Gehrig, known as the Iron Horse, played for the Yankees in the 1920s and 1930s. He was incredibly reliable, playing in 2,130 consecutive games. Unfortunately, his time on the field was cut short when he was 36, due to his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that still does not have a cure.
On July 4, 1939, Gehrig delivered a special speech during a ceremony held in his honor where he thanked his teammates, coaches, family, and fans, and he referred to himself as the "luckiest man on the face of the earth" even though he was facing a debilitating disease. Gehrig died in 1941. As awful as this is, Gehrig was able to bring attention to ALS, which later became known as Lou Gehrig's disease. We can all take inspiration from the gracious, spirited way in which he lived his life.
Racing to Success: Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Dale Earnhardt Sr. is one of the most successful drivers in NASCAR history. With a father in the sport, he almost seemed destined to be behind the wheel. During his career Earnhardt developed an aggressive driving style and was recognized for his fierce competitiveness. He was able to pull off many exciting wins throughout his career, which started in the NASCAR Cup Series in the 1970s. In 1976, Earnhardt took part in the World 600 and was sponsored by the Army. Throughout his career, he won more than 70 races in the NASCAR Cup Series, unfortunately, he lost his life doing what he loved. During the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500, he lost control of his vehicle and was pronounced dead on arrival at 5:16 p.m.
Breaking Barriers in the Boston Marathon
In 1967, Kathrine Switzer decided to race in the Boston Marathon. The only problem was that women weren't allowed in the race at the time. Instead of registering as Kathrine, she used her initials and wrote her name as K.V. Switzer. She was able to line up and begin the race, but one of the race officials spotted her around the second mile and attempted to forcibly remove her from the course. Switzer's boyfriend, Tom Miller, blocked the official, and she was able to continue and finish. Her participation in the race sparked many conversations about whether women should be allowed in the marathon - which is insane btw. It wasn't until 1972 that women were officially allowed to run the Boston Marathon.
