Inspirational Olympic Moments

Text by Dilshad D. Ali and Lilit Marcus

From: Beliefnet

What makes for an inspiring Olympic moment? Is it the years of hard work and sacrifice that culminate in a gold medal? Is it competing because you love your sport, even though it's unlikely you'll ever win? Is it suffering an injury but finishing the race? Is it overcoming a stereotype and proving something to the world? All these factors and more play a part in the great moments of Olympic history.

As we await the starting trumpet at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Beliefnet looks back at the most inspiring Olympic moments ever. Some names you'll know, some will jog your memory, and some may even surprise you.

The Jamaican Bobsled Team, Calgary, 1988
It sounded like a joke. After all, how could Jamaica, a country known for its year-round sunshine and beach culture, possibly have a team in bobsledding, an event normally won by teams from snowbound places like Switzerland and Norway? Nevertheless, during the 1988 Olympics in Calgary, the Jamaican bobsled team (Devon Harris, Dudley Stokes, Michael White, Samuel Clayton, and Aiden van de Mortel) and their coach (Howard Siler) held their own, winning respect and admiration from their peers.

Celebrated in the film "Cool Runnings," the snowless country managed to put together a legitimate bobsled team, and in doing so reminded the world that the Olympics aren't just about sheer athleticism--they're about drive, determination, and heart.--LM

Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, Sarajevo, 1984

When it comes to figure skating, it is often the women's, men's, and pairs events that draw in the big crowds during the winter games. But it was the United Kingdom's Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean's artistic ice dance at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo that captured the hearts and emotions of all who watched that year.

Performing to "Bolero," the pair spent the first 18 seconds of their performance kneeling on the ice, moving their bodies in sync. Though they did no major tricks or stunts, they performed an artistically breathtaking program, scoring an unprecedented 12 perfect 6.0 scores. They won the gold medal that year and inspired legions of figure skaters to mimic their style, and winter sports fans to appreciate the twin foundations of ice dancing: athleticism and beauty.-DDA

Read more: Beliefnet

Posted in: Sports Inspirational Stories