We wanted to put together a list of Olympic moments that have inspired each of us over the years. Here's the top 15 as voted by the Freetrain team

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Pioneers of a generation

American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos gave the Black Power salute after winning gold and bronze medals respectively, at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. These pioneers inspired a generation and gave a voice to people round the world that is still prevalent today. 

 

Who can argue with this one

Usain Bolt setting world records in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Something that may never be repeated in the same Olympics again.    

 

A story you may not know

After winning Olympic Gold at the Atlanta games in 1960, Muhammad Ali threw his Gold medal into the Ohio river after being refused access to a restaurant due to the colour of his skin. 36 years later he was presented with a replica medal and was honoured by being asked to light the Olympic cauldron at the opening ceremony. 

 

Eric the eel

Eric Moussambani from Equatorial Guinea made his Olympic swimming debut 8 months after learning how to swim. What’s more, he won the race after his competitors were disqualified. He holds the record for the slowest time set in the Olympics for the 100m freestyle at 1:52.7.

 

 

United they stood

For the Sydney Olympic games in 2000, North and South Korea made a monumental step towards unification by walking together under one flag during the opening ceremony.

 

  

Conquering Berlin

At a time where political tensions were at an all-time high, Jessie Owens lit up a stadium in Berlin with his historic performance. He won four gold medals, setting three world records in front of a hostile crowd that included the infamous Adolf Hitler.

 

What’s more impressive, 14 or 10?

At just 14 years old, Nadia Comăneci won gold for her unforgettable performance on the uneven bars at the 1976 Olympics in Montréal. However, what’s more impressive is the Romanian athlete also became the first person in history to score a perfect 10.0 in the Olympic games.

 

 

Best of Britain

Sir Chris Hoy is the most successful British Olympian of all time winning a total of 7 medals, 6 of which are gold. He competed in 4 Olympics winning medals in each. Only fellow Britain Sir Bradley Wiggins has more total medals at the Olympics with a total of 8 (5 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze).

 

 

The best ever

Michael Phelps completing the unbelievable feet of 8 gold medals in the same games. We weren’t going to leave out the most successful Olympian of all time. Over four Olympic Phelps accumulated 28 medals, 23 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze. Now that's impressive!

 

 

The historic nine

Bolt again? Well yeah, it is Usian bolt, he became the first man to win all three sprint events in three separate Olympics. He won the 100m, 200m and 4 x 100m at the Beijing, London and Rio Olympics. He also holds the world records for all three events.

 

 

The start of a legacy

At the 1960 game in Rome, Muhammad Ali won gold after beating three time European champion, Zbigniew Pietrzykowski. Ali is widely regarded as the best boxer of all time and has received countless accolades, including Sports Personality of the Century from the BBC.

 

 

Swimming royalty

At the Sydney games in 2000, Dutch athlete Indge De Bruijn completed an amazing triple. She not only won three golds, but also set three world records in the 50m and 100m freestyle as well as the 100m butterfly.

 

 

The long distance king

In 1952 in Helsinky, Emil Zátopek became the only person in history to win the 5,000 metres, 10,000 metres and Marathon in the same Olympic Games. Something that has still not been replicated to this day.

 

 

Pure grit and determination

Kerri Strug showed unbelievable bravery to overcome the odds. After tearing the ligaments in her ankle during her first vault, she chose to battle through the pain completing her second vault to secure the gold medal for the USA at the 1996 games in Atlanta.