From groundbreaking achievements to universal experiences of both pain and joy, the Olympic Games of 2020 in Tokyo were unforgettable.
Tokyo Olympics Seven Moments Worth Revisiting
Incredible displays of bravery and talent; of sportsmanship and emotion befitting the new Olympic motto of “Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together.”
Some of Tokyo 2020’s most memorable moments are these.
A Cuban Wrestler in the Record Books
Mijain López, 38, a Cuban wrestler, has competed in every Summer Olympics since 2008.
It’s become as predictable as a funny bit in the opening ceremony that he’ll win gold. Neither the experience nor Lopez’s victory in Tokyo were less than spectacular. That’s four he’s managed to get.
López, listed at 6’5″ and 290 pounds, is famous for throwing opponents and coaches over his shoulder.
He had previously announced his retirement following the Tokyo Olympics.
Despite this, at the age of 41, he is not ruling out competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics in the Greco-Roman super heavyweight category.
When the Sailing Winners Capsized Their Boat
In all honesty, if you just won the Olympic gold in sailing, you probably don’t give a hoot about what happens to your boat now.
The Brazilian 49er FX champions Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze set sail for their friends waiting on the beach.
During their manoeuvring, they ran into shallow water and rocks, damaging the mast.
Italy’s Incredible Triple Track & Field Golds
With a total of 40 medals (four more than their previous record total achieved at LA 1932 and Rome 1960).
Including an impressive three gold medals on the track at the Olympic Stadium, Italy had a fantastic Olympic Games experience in Tokyo in 2020.
Emma McKeon Ties the Record for Most Medals Won by a Woman at a Single Olympic Games
Former Soviet gymnast Mariya Gorokhovskaya won a record-breaking seven medals at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki (including gold in the team and all around events).
Almost 60 years after it was set, Gorokhovskaya’s record for the most Olympic medals won by a woman still stands.
Elaine Thompson-Herah Makes Olympic History
In the history of women’s track and field, no one had ever successfully defended her 100- and 200-meter titles prior to Tokyo 2020.
In contrast, Elaine Thompson-Herah is not a typical sportsperson.
The Jamaican sprinter (who won gold in both events at Rio 2016) won her second gold medal in the 100m on July 31.
Setting a new Olympic record of 10.61 seconds and shattering the 33-year-old mark set by the late American icon Florence Griffith Joyner in Seoul in 1988.
No, You Don’t Have to Pole Vault Again
What do you do when you win gold after coming so close to missing the cut?
After a difficult year in which you fought Covid-19 and then did your best to qualify for the Olympics, what do you do when you finally make it?
After winning the pole vault competition against Russia’s Anzhelika Sidorova, American Katie Nageotte was within her rights to take it easy and enjoy the moment.
Nageotte had to come back from two misses before she finally cleared 4.9 metres (16 feet, 1 inch).
Biles Wins Bronze in Courageous Comeback
It takes a lot of nerve to get up on the narrow sliver that is the balance beam when the entire world is watching.
And it takes even more nerve to perform daring leaps, twists, and acrobatic skills on a surface that is only four inches wide.
Simone Biles did not have much to work with when she performed her routine in the beam final.
But you wouldn’t have known it by the way she nailed everything from a side aerial to a new double back pike dismount.
Conclusion
There are many memorable Olympic moments, whether they are widely or barely viewed.
To put it in perspective, more than 11,000 athletes competed in 339 events across 33 sports at the Tokyo Games. Thanks for reading our article Tokyo Olympics Seven Moments Worth Revisiting.
