Photos: Your Favorite Summer Olympian
Recall the athletes who capture our imaginations every four years and let us know who is your favorite
- By Channing Holman, Kat J. McAlpine, Jeanie Riess, K. Annabelle Smith and Ayesha Venkataraman
- Smithsonian.com, August 01, 2012
«« Previous | 4 of 25
| Next »»
(© International Olympic Committee)
Bob Beamon, Track and Field
Bob Beamon shattered all previous records and secured a place in Olympic history for the long jump, landing at an astonishing 29 feet 2.5 inches during the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. In an iconic moment, his legs gave way under him when he realized the magnitude of his victory, having beaten the existing record by almost two feet. This record endured for almost 23 years, and Beamon was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame and the United States Olympic Hall of Fame. He was never able to replicate that jump, which Sports Illustrated called the fifth-greatest sports moment in the 20th century. --AV
Vote for your favorite now!
«« Previous | 4 of 25
| Next »»
Comments (1)
Undoubtedly, the most fun "sport" was reviewing these 24 Greatest Olympians, then trying to pick a favorite! Thanks Smithsonian for a thorough look at OUR Greatest Athletes of All Time. And now I have to go back & change my vote, again, to The Dream Team!!! Shirley J. Pringle, Miami, FL USA
Posted by Shirley Pringle on August 2,2012 | 10:09 AM