The Summer Olympics have been postponed a year but that doesn’t mean we can’t get a little Olympic inspiration right now!
Let’s remember some of the most inspiring athletes from past Olympic games.
Mary Lou Retton ~ Los Angeles 1984
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So proud to represent USA #olympicday2016 #LosAngeles1984
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Mary Lou Retton was the first American woman to win the all-around gold medal in gymnastics. She also won the most medals of any athlete that year with 5 total.
Michael Phelps ~ Beijing 2008
This wasn’t Michael Phelps’ first time at the Olympics but he won 8 gold medals. Yes EIGHT. This broke the previous record set by Mark Spitz and cemented Phelps in Olympic history.
Simone Biles ~ Rio 2016
Simone Biles is so impressive she’s already got several gymnastics moves named after her and she is only 23. At 4’8, the tiny powerhouse won 4 gold medals in her first Olympic games.
Alice Coachman ~ London 1948
Alice Coachman was the first black woman to ever win a gold medal in the Olympic games. She set the high jump record and was awarded her gold medal by King George VI.
Kerri Strug ~ Atlanta 1996
Kerri Strug managed to perform a vault with a severe ankle injury. After sticking the landing she had to be carried off the mat. Her performance cinched the team gold in gymnastics that year.
Jesse Owens ~ Berlin 1936
Jesse Owens won 4 gold medals during the 1936 Berlin games. He was an African-American runner competing in Nazi Germany and he managed to set 3 world records.
We won’t get to see the Olympic torch lighting this year but these heroes can keep our hopes up until next The 2021 Tokyo Games.
Who is your favorite Olympian of all time?
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