It is said that ‘History is Revisionist” and this adage holds true in the sporting world, however, in the area of track and field there are several moments that are etched into the history books of the sport. Here are five of the most famous track and field moments.
Jesse Owens Wins Four Gold Medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
African American, Jesse Owens showed Adolph Hitler and the world that Hitler’s delusions of Aryan superiority were nothing more than talk when he showed up the German track and field team in their own country.
Michael Johnson’s 1996 Olympic Gold
When Olympic sprinter and track and field star Michael Johnson took to the starting line for the 200-Meter dash, no one could have foreseen the blistering world record of 19.32 seconds, with his second split coming in at 9.20 seconds.
Joan Benoit Samuelson’s 1984 Olympic Marathon
1984 saw the first women’s marathon event at the Los Angeles Olympics. Just ten minutes into the race she took off to take the lead, with many thinking she would crack. She ran the marathon by herself and her gold medal win is considered one of the most memorable moments in track and field history.
The Black Power Salute at the 1968 Olympics
The late 60s were a time of incredible racial turmoil in the USA. With civil rights protests and demonstrations, the Olympic sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlo’s 200-meter dash victory the two stood atop the podium and raised their arms with clenched fists with heads down in solidarity against the racial disparities.
Bruce Jenner Wins the Gold in the Decathlon at the 1976 Montreal Olympics
In 1976 an American athlete and track and field athlete turned the track and field world on it’s head by winning the Gold Medal in the Decathlon. Formerly an obscure event in the Olympics (to most Americans), Jenner’s win became the source of legend and history for track and field.
Honorable Mention
Steve Prefontaine by all account was an unlikely athlete to be a mid-distance runner, but in true Prefontaine fashion, he proved the world wrong. Prefontaine set over 15 world records in his career, but on July 9, 1972 “Pre” set a world record for the 2 mile. A record that still stands today.