8. A hostage situation unfolds at the Olympic Village in 1972.
A masked PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) terrorist is seen in the Olympic Village after taking hostages and later killing nine members of the Israeli Olympic Team during the 1972 Summer Olympics.
9. Wlsadyslaw Kozakiewicz of Poland sticks it to the Soviet Union in 1980.
Poland’s Wladyslaw Kozakiewicz joyfully claims the gold medal after clearing the best height and setting a new world record in the Olympic pole vault event on July 30, 1980, in Moscow. In Poland, the gesture was viewed as a symbol of resistance against Soviet dominance.
10. An extreme entrance to the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.
A stuntman attempts to parachute into the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony.
11. Britain’s Derek Redmond is helped across the finish line by his father in 1992.
Britain’s Derek Redmond grimaces as he is helped across the finish line by his father in Barcelona’s Olympic Stadium on Aug. 3, 1992. Redmond was injured when he fell during the semifinals of the men’s 400-meter race.
12. The “greatest collection of basketball talent on the planet” takes home gold in 1992.
From left: Larry Bird, Scottie Pippen, Michael Jordan, Clyde Drexler, and Karl Malone stand victorious with the American flag after winning the final game in Barcelona on Aug. 8, 1992.
13. Tonya Harding of the USA gets emotional after a problem with her skate in 1994.
Harding leaves the ice in tears at the Lillehammer Winter Olympics on Feb. 23, 1994. After consulting the judges, she was allowed more time to repair her boot lace and returned to finish her program.
14. Muhammad Ali returns with the Olympic flame in 1996.
Muhammad Ali lights the Olympic flame during the Opening Ceremony of the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.