The 2016 Rio Olympics is completed and it’s now time to wait for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The summer Olympics this year experienced the good, the bad, and the ugly. With false starts, disqualifications, athletes making history, controversies, and upsets – this year’s Olympics was the most talked out Olympics on social media. Even with all the ups and downs, the games turned out to be a success, with Team USA winning the most medals. Here are some of the best moments from the 2016 Rio Olympics which deserved to be shared.
1. Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps Make a Lasting Impression
Two of the best athletes to ever compete in the Olympic Games, announced their retirement during the games and will not return in 2020. However, that didn’t stop the two from performing at their best level during the games. On the track, Usain Bolt ended his Olympic career by achieving a “triple-triple”, with events including the Men’s 100M, 200M and 4 x 100 relay. In the pool, Michael Phelps ended his Olympic career by adding 6 medals (5 gold and 1 silver), to his astonishing total of 28 medals.
2. USA Gymnastics Team
Being the best gymnastics team in the world, the USA gymnastics team had a great deal of pressure coming into the Rio Olympic Games – expecting to perform well. With Gabby Douglas and Aly Raismen returning with newcomers, Simone Biles, Laurie Hernadez and Madison Kocian, all eyes were on Team USA to defend their gold team medal. The Olympic journey was a success winning the team gold, back-to-back.
3. The Simone’s Are Victorious
Simone Biles and Simone Manuel both proved they deserved to be on top of the podium more than once. Simone Manuel made history by becoming the first African-American to win a gold medal in swimming in an individual event. In addition to her individual gold medal, Manuel won gold in the Women’s 4x100 medley relay and won silver in the Women’s 50m freestyle and the 4x100m freestyle relay. Moreover, Simone Biles (the 4’8” giant) dominated the gymnastics world-earning five medals (4 gold and 1 bronze) to prove she is the best gymnast in the world.
4. D’Agostino and Hamblin Helping Each Other To The Finish Line
During the 5,000-meter semifinal race, two runners (Abbey D’Agostino and Nikki Hamblin) collided into one another while running and taking a terrible fall. The New Zealand runner, Hamblin, seemed to get up just fine, but USA runner, D’ Agostino not so much. Struggling to finish the race on her on, Hamblin helped her competitor finish the race and waiting with her until help arrived. The result of the fall landed the two female runners an Olympic honor, the Pierre de Coubertin medal.
5. USA Women’s Track 4 x 100 Relay
Trying to defend their Olympic gold medal from the London games, Allison Felix and running mates had plenty to prove in the qualifying race. The race begun and was time for Felix to hand off the baton to English Gardener. However, while in the process of handing the baton over, Felix was bumped by a runner from the Brazil team - resulting in Felix dropping the baton and being disqualified from the race. Later, the team protested for a rerun and was approved by the committee, but had to run alone on the track. The ladies qualified and ended up winning the gold medal in the 4x100 relay in lane 1.
