Monday, June 23, 2008

15 Greatest Summer Olympic Moments

With the Summer Olympics coming up, what better way to start than your boys at the NCV to rank the Top 15 Greatest Summer Olympic Moments. There is plenty of them but we both felt that in our minds, these classics stood out.

15. VINCE CARTER DUNKS ON FREDRIC WEIS 2000 OLYMPICS


You know you have VC coming at you and I don't care if you're 7'2, get out of the way cause he will outjump your ass. Another way to embarrass the French. Man Vince had the audacity to jump in midair and rub his nuts against his face.



14. MARY LOU RETTON PERFECT 10'S 1984 OLYMPICS


America fell in love with her after her performance in Los Angeles. Who could blame her? She was at home with everyone rooting for her and she perfects everything. Just a case of everything going her way.



13. NADIA COMENECI PERFECT 10'S 1976 OLYMPICS


Montreal was the setting for this absolute gold mine of a performance. She ruled the gymnastics scene in the 76 Olympics.



12. U.S ROBBED BY RUSSIANS 1972 OLYMPICS


Let's face it U.S ruled basketball and it took a highway robbery of a moment. A clear blatant do over for this monumental and controversial upset. It was the first time the U.S lost an Olympic hoops event.



11. RULON GARDNER BEATS ALEXANDER KARELIN 2000 OLYMPICS


Alex Karelin was the man. Undefeated since 87 in international competition. Until Rulon Gardner pulled off the stunner! He was dominated in their only meeting in 97 and he wrestled a complete masterpiece.



10. DEREK REDMOND 1992 OLYMPICS


A true measure of heart. After pulling up lame, he could of just given up but he had to cross the finish line. So in a touching moment with his father, he assists his son in crossing the finish line.



9. CARL LEWIS 4 GOLDS IN 84 OLYMPICS


Carl Lewis was the MAN! In the 84 Olympics he proved it by destroying everyone in his path in 4 Olympic events. Arguably one of the best sprinters in history.



8. GREG LOUGANIS HITS HEAD ON DIVING BOARD 1988 OLYMPICS


Pure horror at first when he hit his head on the diving board only to rise up and win gold. Not bad for the GREATEST DIVER EVER!!!



7. MUNICH OLYMPIC TRAGEDY 1972


It was the worst tragedies in history as Palestinian terrorists barge into the apartment of Israelites and kill 11 of them. It will forever be known as the Munich Massacre and was turned into an Oscar Winning Movie.



6. MARK SPITZ 7 GOLD MEDALS


This has never been done. 7 Golds in one Olympics. Mark Spitz did it and did it well. No one can touch this guy on the pool.



5. BEN JOHNSON CHEATS 1988 OLYMPICS


Everyone thought Carl Lewis had it in the bag when Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson came out of nowhere to annihilate the competition. The next day he was busted for drugs in his urine and was stripped of the Gold Medal. Cheaters Never Prosper.



4. KERRI STRUG 1996 OLYMPICS


Down with a messed up ankle and needing a big vault performance. Kerri Strug reached way deep down and provides the world with a classic gutsy leap. Everyone will always remember Bela Karolyi carrying her off the platforms afterwards.



3. 1992 DREAM TEAM


This was a team you had dreams about having. Poor Angolans and Philippines teams. When you had a starting lineup of Jordan, Bird, Magic, David Robinson and Charles Barkley. You might as well shake their hands and walk out cause you were about to get drugged! And that is what they did to the competition. Or lack thereof.



2. TOMMIE SMITH AND JOHN CARLOS 1968 OLYMPICS


The image turned into one of the most popular posters in history. Winning the top medals after the race, both gentlemen raised their fists in the air to proclaim their Black Panther support and the image etched in the minds of all after that.



1. JESSE OWENS 1936 OLYMPICS


In front of Germany. In front of Hitler. What a perfect way to slap a guy in the face that to beat the competition in enemy territory. That's what this man did. Imagine the intimidation factor of the event itself. Jesse Owens put that aside and rubbed it in the faces of the the world most ruthless dictator to win Olympic Gold.