Historic Olympic Photos That Will Leave You Amazed
The 2026 Winter Olympics are here! The XXV Olympic Winter Games, also known as Milano Cortina 2026, are scheduled to take place from February 6 to 22, 2026 at venues in Lombardy and northeastern Italy.
The emotion of a new Olympic season makes us reflect on Olympic Games past. So we’ve rounded up 33 of the most memorable photos from past Olympic Games.
1.
A tug-of-war competition at the 1900 Olympic Games in Paris, France:
2.
The 60m sprint at the 1900 Olympic Games in Paris, France:
3.
The start of the men’s 100m freestyle at the 1904 Olympic Games in St. Louis, Missouri:
4.
Female gymnasts on wooden beams at the 1908 Olympic Games in London, England:
5.
A gymnast performing a pommel vault at the 1908 Olympic Games:
6.
Women’s archers at the 1908 Olympic Games in London, England:
7.
The construction of the 1912 Olympic Stadium in Stockholm, Sweden:
8.
The U.S. Olympic Team on its way to the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium:
9.
Speed skating at the first Winter Olympics in 1924 in Chamonix, France:
10.
Betty Robinson, first winner of the women’s 100m sprint at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam, Netherlands:
11.
A field hockey match at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam, Netherlands:
12.
Canada vs. United States hockey game at the 1932 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York:
13.
German dictator Adolf Hitler at the 1936 Berlin Olympics:
14.
Torch bearer during the opening ceremony of the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games in the presence of German soldiers:
15.
Jessie Owens won the first of his four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics in the men’s 100m sprint:
16.
Jesse Owens returns from the 1936 Berlin Olympics having won four gold medals:
17.
Fanny Blankers-Koen wins the 200 meters event, earning her third medal at the 1948 Olympic Games at Wembley, London:
18.
The torch lit at the opening ceremony of the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia:
19.
Otis Davis winning the men’s 400m event at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, Italy:
20.
Wilma Rudolph sets a new world record in the women’s 100m at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, Italy:
21.
Two Soviet teammates celebrate by embracing each other after winning the gold and silver medals in the men’s high jump at the 1960s Olympics:
22.
Japan wins gold in judo at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan:
23.
George Foreman celebrating his gold medal in the boxing finals at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, Mexico:
24.
At age 14, Nadia Comaneci earned a perfect score on her balance beam routine, winning her first gold medal at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, Canada:
25.
The United States defeats Finland to win the gold medal in the men’s ice hockey final at the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, New York:
26.
America’s “Dream Team” of stars such as Michael B. Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and more won gold at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain:
27.
After helping Team USA win gold in the women’s gymnastics team all-around while injured, Kerri Strug was removed from the awards ceremony by her coach at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia:
28.
Michael Phelps wins his first ever gold medal in the men’s 400m event at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece:
29.
Team Canada wins gold in the women’s ice hockey final at the 2006 Olympic Games in Turin, Italy:
30.
Usain Bolt poses next to his new world record set in the men’s 100m final at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China:
31.
The United States women’s team wins gold in the 4x400m relay final at the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan:
32.
Sydney McLaughlin sets a new world record in the women’s 400m hurdles final at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France:
33.
And, last but certainly and most importantly, swimmer Katie Ledecky becomes the most decorated American Olympian in history at the 2024 Olympic Games with a total of 14 gold medals during her career:
Did we miss any moments that you think should have been included? Let us know in the comments below.
