The Olympics have always been a stage for the world's finest athletes, drawing competitors and audiences alike into a celebration of human potential. Since the inaugural modern games in 1896, the event has become a symbol of athletic excellence and international unity, immortalized through countless photographs.
As the world's elite gather in Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics, this is a perfect opportunity to revisit some of the event's most iconic and rare moments. From Michael Jordan proudly representing Team USA to Nadia Comăneci's historic perfect ten, these vintage Olympic photos reveal memorable moments that transcend time. Let's take a look.
Related: What the Olympic Games Were Like Back in 1896
1. Johnny Weissmuller, left, and Duke Kahanamoku at the 1924 Paris Olympics.
2. Pistol dueling used to be an Olympic sport. [1909]
3. Timekeepers at the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden.
4. London Olympics, 1908.
5. The high jump at Olympics games in London, 1908.
6. Jesse Owens running at the 1936 Olympics.
7. Muhammad Ali receiving his Olympic Gold Medal at the Rome Summer Olympics (1960).
8. Shooting at the 1912 Olympics
9. The first modern Olympics were held in Athens in 1896.
10. Jesse Owens of USA after winning gold in Summer Olympics in Germany, 1936.
11. Nadia Comaneci scoring a perfect 10 at the Olympics in Montreal, 1976.
12. The opening ceremony of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games.
13. The opening ceremony at the 1924 summer Olympics in Paris.
14. Abebe Bikila, an Ethiopian marathon runner, made history at the Rome Olympics in 1960 by winning the gold medal while running barefoot.
