There are many Olympic events, but there are only a few that stand apart. These are Nadia Comaneci’s longest jumps, the Bob Beamon javelin throw records, and Greg Louganis’ concussion from diving. You can read on to find out the most memorable moments from the Olympics. We'll also cover the history of diving, and the relationship between politics & sport.
Nadia Comaneci’s record-breaking long leap
The record-breaking long jump by Nadia Comaneci at the 2012 Summer Olympics is the first time a woman has ever broken the long jump world record. Comaneci was raised in Onesti, Romania. Bela Onesti's parents founded the Onesti Karolyi gymnastics school. Marta Onesti was her mother. Nadia, which is a diminutive of Nadezhda's name, means "hope". Adrian, Comaneci's younger brother, is also his.
The Olympic Games are a timed event, and the time limit is twenty-three seconds. Comaneci’s time in the long-jump is nearly one-half seconds quicker than the previous record. Her performance is a source of inspiration for all gymnasts. Olympics are a prestigious event, and Nadia Comaneci’s world-record long jump is a testimony to her brilliance.
Bob Beamon’s record-breaking javelin throw
Bob Beamon's incredible throw of the javelin at the London Olympics remains a topic of conversation today. Sports Illustrated magazine has hailed this feat among the five most memorable sporting moments in the 20th century. The veteran athlete is now well into the 70s and has other interests. These include business ventures and working with young people to help them achieve their goals. He has even been an ambassador for the Special Olympics, so he still hopes to remain active in the Olympic movement.
The women's javelin is different from the men's original design. It was made for women and has seen significant improvements to make it more competitive. In the late 1980s consecutive world records were set at around 80 meters. Beamon's Olympic record for women has not been broken until now. Three of the greatest female long jumpers ever were part of the 1988 Olympics. Yelena Isinbayeva was the most prominent.
Greg Louganis' concussion in diving
The world's top diver, Greg Louganis, has suffered a concussion while diving at the London Olympics. The accident occurred while Louganis was qualifying on a dive board. He fell while performing a reverse 2-and-a-half-pike. Louganis was taken to the hospital for stitches but was able to return to competition and won the gold medal. He was the first man to defend his Olympic springboard diving title, after suffering a concussion. Louganis revealed to Barbara Walters in 1995 that he was suffering from AIDS, and that he had contracted the disease during the 1988 Games. However, this news was not to keep Louganis from competing, and he did test negative for HIV.
Louganis is a champion diver who has won two gold medals in diving at the Summer Olympics. He is the only diver to ever win multiple Gold Medals. His best results were at the 1988 and 1984 Summer Olympics. He won several gold medals in other competitions such as the 1979 Pan American Games or the 1983 Summer Universiade. Louganis was also a winner of many other events. In 1988, he was named ABC's "Athlete of the year".