What are the most significant international sports achievements in American history. How did these moments shape the landscape of U.S. sports on the global stage. Which athletes and teams left an indelible mark on America’s sporting legacy.
Groundbreaking Moments in U.S. Olympic History
The Olympic Games have provided a grand stage for American athletes to showcase their talents and make history. From unexpected victories to barrier-breaking performances, U.S. Olympians have left an indelible mark on the international sporting world.
Bill Johnson’s Historic Downhill Gold
In 1984, Bill Johnson etched his name in the annals of Olympic history by becoming the first American to win gold in the downhill skiing event. His victory in Sarajevo was not just a personal triumph but a watershed moment for U.S. winter sports.
- First American to win a World Cup downhill competition earlier that year
- Boldly predicted his Olympic victory before the race
- Defeated Swiss favorite Peter Mueller by .27 seconds
How did Johnson’s victory impact the landscape of American skiing? His gold medal performance inspired a new generation of U.S. skiers and proved that Americans could compete at the highest level in alpine events.
Shani Davis Breaks the Color Barrier
The 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, witnessed a historic moment when Shani Davis became the first black athlete from any nation to win an individual gold medal at the Winter Games. His speedskating prowess rewrote the record books and challenged racial stereotypes in winter sports.
- Won gold in the 1,000m speedskating event
- Claimed silver in the 1,500m
- Repeated his gold-silver performance at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics
Davis’s achievements extended beyond the ice rink. How did his success impact diversity in winter sports? His victories inspired athletes of color worldwide and highlighted the importance of representation in traditionally white-dominated sports.
Lindsey Vonn’s Downhill Dominance
The 2010 Vancouver Olympics saw Lindsey Vonn overcome injury to claim a historic gold medal in the women’s downhill event. Her performance under pressure cemented her status as one of the greatest skiers in U.S. history.
- Competed despite a bruised shin causing “excruciating” pain
- Became the first American woman to win gold in the downhill
- Added a bronze medal in the Super-G event
Vonn’s resilience and determination captivated the nation. How did her Olympic success influence women’s skiing in the United States? Her victory inspired countless young female athletes and raised the profile of women’s alpine skiing in America.
U.S. Soccer’s Rise on the World Stage
Soccer, long considered an afterthought in American sports, has seen a remarkable rise in prominence over the past few decades. Key moments in World Cup qualifiers and tournaments have played a crucial role in elevating the sport’s status in the United States.
The Shot Heard Round the World: 1989 World Cup Qualifier
Paul Caligiuri’s goal against Trinidad and Tobago in 1989 is often referred to as “The Shot Heard Round the World” in U.S. soccer circles. This pivotal moment secured the United States’ place in the 1990 World Cup, marking their return to the tournament after a 40-year absence.
- Scored a looping left-footed goal from outside the box
- Secured a 1-0 victory in a must-win qualifier
- Ended the U.S.’s longest World Cup drought
Caligiuri’s goal was more than just a ticket to the World Cup. How did this moment impact the growth of soccer in America? It reignited interest in the sport and laid the foundation for the 1994 World Cup hosted by the United States.
Upsetting the Odds: 1950 World Cup
Long before soccer gained widespread popularity in the U.S., the national team pulled off one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. Their 1-0 victory over England in the 1950 tournament shocked the soccer world and remains a point of pride in American soccer lore.
- England was heavily favored, with 3-1 odds to win the entire tournament
- The U.S. team was composed largely of semi-professional players
- Joe Gaetjens scored the winning goal for the Americans
This upset, often called the “Miracle on Grass,” demonstrated that American soccer could compete on the world stage. How did this victory influence the perception of U.S. soccer internationally? While it didn’t immediately transform the sport’s status in America, it became a rallying point for future generations of U.S. soccer players and fans.
World Cup 1994: Hosting and Competing
The United States’ hosting of the 1994 World Cup marked a turning point for soccer in the country. Not only did the tournament introduce the sport to a broader American audience, but the U.S. team’s performance also exceeded expectations.
- Automatically qualified as the host nation
- Upset Colombia 2-1 in a crucial group stage match
- Advanced to the knockout round for the first time since 1930
The successful hosting of the World Cup and the team’s performance sparked a soccer renaissance in America. How did the 1994 World Cup impact the development of professional soccer in the U.S.? It directly led to the creation of Major League Soccer (MLS), which kicked off its inaugural season in 1996.
Boxing Triumphs: From Olympic Gold to Professional Glory
Boxing has long been a source of national pride for the United States, with American fighters dominating both amateur and professional ranks. Olympic success has often paved the way for legendary professional careers.
George Foreman’s Olympic Triumph
The 1968 Mexico City Olympics saw the emergence of George Foreman as a force in heavyweight boxing. His gold medal performance was a precursor to a storied professional career that would span decades.
- Barely qualified for the U.S. team, needing a late decision win
- Dominated his Olympic opponents, culminating in a win over Soviet Union’s Ionas Chepulis
- Famously waved a small American flag after his gold medal victory
Foreman’s patriotic celebration became an iconic Olympic moment. How did his Olympic success translate to his professional career? It provided a launching pad for Foreman to become one of the most feared heavyweights of the 1970s and, later, to make a remarkable comeback in his 40s.
Breakthrough Performances in Winter Sports
While traditionally stronger in summer sports, the United States has made significant strides in winter disciplines over the years. Breakthrough performances in skiing, speedskating, and other winter sports have elevated America’s status in the Winter Olympics.
Eric Heiden’s Five Gold Medals
The 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid saw Eric Heiden achieve one of the most remarkable feats in Olympic history. The speedskater won gold in all five men’s events, a performance that has never been matched.
- Won gold in the 500m, 1000m, 1500m, 5000m, and 10,000m events
- Set four Olympic records and one world record
- Became the most successful athlete at a single Winter Olympics
Heiden’s dominance was unprecedented in Winter Olympic history. How did his performance impact the popularity of speedskating in the U.S.? His success brought significant attention to the sport and inspired a new generation of American speedskaters.
Team USA’s Basketball Dominance
Basketball has long been a source of international pride for the United States. From Olympic triumphs to World Championship victories, American basketball teams have consistently showcased the country’s talent depth and competitive spirit on the global stage.
The Dream Team: 1992 Olympics
The 1992 Barcelona Olympics marked the first time that NBA players were allowed to compete in the Games. The result was the assembly of what is widely considered the greatest basketball team ever: The Dream Team.
- Featured legends like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird
- Won their games by an average margin of 43.8 points
- Captured the imagination of basketball fans worldwide
The Dream Team’s impact extended far beyond their gold medal victory. How did their performance influence international basketball? Their dominance inspired players around the world, accelerating the globalization of basketball and improving the overall quality of international competition.
Iconic Moments in Track and Field
Track and field has provided some of the most memorable moments in U.S. Olympic history. From Jesse Owens’ defiance of Nazi ideology to modern sprinting dominance, American athletes have consistently excelled on the track and in field events.
Jesse Owens’ Four Gold Medals
The 1936 Berlin Olympics, held under the shadow of Nazi Germany, saw Jesse Owens deliver one of the most significant performances in Olympic history. His four gold medals were a powerful statement against racial supremacy theories.
- Won gold in the 100m, 200m, long jump, and 4x100m relay
- Set three world records and tied another
- Defied Hitler’s Aryan supremacy ideology
Owens’ triumphs transcended sport and became a symbol of human dignity and equality. How did his Olympic performance impact the civil rights movement in America? While it didn’t immediately change racial attitudes in the U.S., Owens’ success provided a powerful counterargument to racist ideologies and inspired future generations of African American athletes.
Swimming Excellence: Dominating the Pool
American swimmers have consistently been at the forefront of international competition, setting records and pushing the boundaries of human performance in the water. From Mark Spitz to Michael Phelps, U.S. swimmers have left an indelible mark on Olympic history.
Michael Phelps’ Eight Gold Medals
The 2008 Beijing Olympics saw Michael Phelps achieve what many thought impossible: winning eight gold medals in a single Games. This performance surpassed Mark Spitz’s 1972 record of seven golds and cemented Phelps’ status as the greatest Olympian of all time.
- Won gold in all eight events he entered
- Set seven world records and one Olympic record
- Showcased versatility across multiple swimming disciplines
Phelps’ achievement was a culmination of years of dedication and natural talent. How did his performance impact swimming’s popularity in the United States? His success led to increased participation in swimming programs across the country and inspired a new generation of swimmers to pursue Olympic dreams.
The United States has a rich history of international sports achievements, from groundbreaking Olympic performances to World Cup soccer triumphs. These moments have not only brought glory to American athletes but have also shaped the nation’s sporting identity on the global stage. From Jesse Owens’ defiance of Nazi ideology to Michael Phelps’ record-breaking swims, U.S. athletes have consistently pushed the boundaries of human performance and inspired generations of sports enthusiasts worldwide.
As we look to the future, these historic achievements serve as a foundation for continued success in international competition. They remind us of the power of sport to unite a nation, break down barriers, and showcase the very best of human potential. The legacy of these moments continues to inspire American athletes to strive for excellence on the world stage, ensuring that the United States remains a dominant force in international sports for years to come.
50 Biggest International Sports Moments in U.S. History | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
50 Biggest International Sports Moments in U.S. History
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Sometimes, as Americans, we often get so overwhelmed by our professional sports teams that we forget to look at the bigger picture: the international scene.
Everyone can root for their city’s teams, but when it comes down to it, all Americans want to see their country come out on top. We hoot and holler for anyone donning the red, white and blue, and it brings together the entire country.
The United States has been fighting the world for sports supremacy for more than a century, and there are some moments you just will never forget. Whether it was on the pitch, in the ring or on the court, the U.S. has brought the world some of its most entertaining memories.
Want to relive them? Cue up the anthem!
50. Colombia Shocked: 1994 World Cup
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The United States automatically qualified for the 1994 World Cup as the hosting nation, but with a tough group, its passage to the knockout round wasn’t guaranteed.
After a 1-1 draw with Switzerland, the Americans prepared for Colombia, the fourth-ranked nation in the world.
Thanks to an own goal by Colombia’s Andrés Escobar, the U.S. upended the heavy favorites 2-1, and advanced for the first time in 64 years. They ended up losing to eventual champion Brazil, but the World Cup started the rebirth of American soccer.
49. Bill Johnson Sets the Mark: 1984 Olympics
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Early in 1984, the brash Bill Johnson became the first American to win the World Cup downhill competition in an unexpected result. With this newfound confidence, he traveled to Sarajevo, Yugoslavia seeking gold.
Instead of playing us his underdog card, he pulled a Joe Namath and predicted his downhill Olympic victory. And just like Broadway Joe, he won the ultimate prize, defeating Peter Mueller of Switzerland by .27 seconds.
48. U.S. Soccer Pulls out the Surprises: 2002 World Cup
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While not the biggest surprise of the tournament, the U.
S. shocked both Portugal, earning a 3-2 on the heavy favorite, and South Korea, tying 1-1. They eventually earned a ticket out of pool play, the second time since 1930.
In the knockout stage, the Americans defeated rival Mexico 2-0, thanks to goals from Landon Donovan and Brian McBride. While they were eventually ousted by runner-up Germany in the next round, the 2002 World Cup marked the furthest the Americans had been in 72 years.
47. Shani Davis Breaks Through: 2006 Olympics
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While there was much hubbub and controversy over Shani Davis’ decision-making before the 2006 Olympics in Turin, Italy, there was no mistaking his boundary-breaking performance.
Davis became the first black athlete from any nation to win a gold medal in an individual sport at the Winter Olympics with his stellar speedskating performance in the 1,000m. He also won silver in the 1,500m, and repeated the same gold-silver performance in 2010 in Vancouver.
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Paul Caligiuri’s Shot Heard Round the World: 1989 World Cup Qualifier
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Most American sports fans are more familiar with a different Shot Heard Round the World, but Paul Caligiuri’s goal was just as big. The U.S. was tied with Trinidad and Tobago 0-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Port of Spain, and they were running out of time to make the Cup.
Then, it happened. Caligiuri crosses over one defender, then makes a looping, left-footed kick from well outside the box that makes it just between the goalie and the post. The U.S. won 1-0 and made its first appearance in a World Cup since 1950.
45. Lindsey Vonn Flies Downhill: 2010 Olympics
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Like the Willis Reed of skiing, Lindsey Vonn had a bruised shin, which she claimed caused her “excruciating” pain, and wasn’t sure she could compete in her five events of Vancouver’s Olympics in 2010. However, warm weather worked in her favor, pushing the events back and giving her more time to heal.
In her very first event, Vonn topped fellow U.S. skier Julie Mancuso by .56 seconds to become the first American woman to win a gold in the downhill. She also went on to collect bronze in the Super-G.
44. George Foreman Grills Mexico City: 1968 Olympics
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George Foreman almost didn’t even qualify for the Mexico City Olympics, needing a late-second decision over Otis Evans to make the U.S. team. And the country couldn’t have been happier.
With a 16-4 record going into the Olympics, Foreman quickly shot through his competition, eventually knocking off Ionas Chepulis of Russia to take the gold as the heavyweight champion.
43. USA Upends England: 1950 World Cup
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While it was just a pool-play match, the U.S. couldn’t have come in as bigger underdogs. England was on top of the soccer world, and was a 3-1 favorite to snag the World Cup in Brazil, while the U.S. had lost its last seven international matches 45-2 and was a 500-1 long shot to win the Cup.
Then, the “Miracle on Grass” happened. In the 37th minute, Joe Gaetjens, who was just added to the roster before the game, knocked in a goal to put the U.S. on top for good. The Brits had opportunities to tie but couldn’t capitalize, allowing the Americans to win a game that even their coach said they had no chance to win.
42. Vince Carter Eviscerates Frederick Weis: 2000 Olympics
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France’s Frederic Weis is 7’2″. Vince Carter doesn’t care.
The video says it all.
41. Carl Lewis Wins After All: 1988 Olympics
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The 100m final at Seoul’s Olympics was one of the more hyped races ever, as Carl Lewis was to face off with long-time rival Ben Johnson. Johnson won the race with a world-record 9.79, while Lewis set an American record 9.92.
Fortunately for Lewis, Johnson tested positive for steroids three days after the race, giving the American the gold and world record. Lewis finished the Games with a long jump gold as well.
40. Nancy Kerrigan Escapes and Prevails: 1994 Olympics
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In January of 1994, Nancy Kerrigan was clubbed in her right knee at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, and was force to withdraw. However, she sped through her recovery and made the U.S. Olympic team, and made the trip to Lillehammer.
She then put on a dazzling display, winning the silver medal in a controversial finish after she had won the short program. She claimed it was one of the best performances of her life.
39. Greg Louganis Makes a Splash: 1984 Olympics
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The American boycott of the 1980 Olympics Games couldn’t have come at a worse time for Greg Louganis, who would’ve been a big favorite. He instead had to hold out for four more years, when the Games came to Los Angeles.
Louganis made sure not to miss the opportunity, winning both the 3m springboard and 10m platform events with record scores. He then repeated his golden performance four years later in Seoul, taking home the same titles.
38. Cassius Clay Wins the Light Heavyweight Title: 1960 Olympics
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The artist formerly known as Cassius Clay was technically an amateur when he arrived in Rome, but he sure didn’t fight like one. Just ask Poland’s Zbigniew Pietrzykov.
Clay went on to win the light heavyweight title with a unanimous decision at only 18 years old, and was so proud of his victory, he didn’t take the medal off for two whole days.
37. Apolo Anton Ohno Hits Perfection: 2006 Olympics
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Ohno had a rough start to the Turin Olympics in 2006, stumbling in the semifinals of the 1,500m and nabbing a slightly underwhelming bronze in the 1,000m. He needed a win—bad.
Desperation is often the best motivator, and Ohno used it to his advantage in the 500m. Despite two false starts from other racers, the American speedskater timed the third start perfectly, and held the lead the entire race, for what would be as close to perfection as possible.
36. Peggy Fleming’s Masterpiece: 1968 Olympics
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Grenoble, France saw the rebirth of figure skating in America, and it’s all thanks to Peggy Fleming. After a plane crash had decimated the team in 1961, Fleming came to the 1968 Winter Games as the country’s hope at returning to glory.
Her gold medal was the only one for the U.S. Figure Skating team at those games, thanks to this wonderful performance.
35. Justin Leonard and the U.S. Sink Euros: 1999 Ryder Cup
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The Sunday of the 1999 Ryder Cup was at one point described as “a date that will live in infamy” for the American antics after Justin Leonard sank a monumental putt to halve his match with José Maria Olazábal.
But can you blame them? The U.S. team came into the final day down 10-6 to the Europeans, and pulled off the greatest upset in Ryder Cup history for a 14.5-13.5 victory in Brookline, Massachusetts.
34. Dorothy Hamill’s Blades of Glory: 1976 Olympics
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Dorothy Hamill’s trip to Innsbruck, Germany was marred by so many distractions, it’s amazing she competed.
Most notably, there were rumors that a competing skater and coach attempted to run her over as she walked around the city.
Right before the event, Hamill saw a sign that read “Which of the West? Dorothy!” and broke down in tears, thinking the fans were calling a witch. But in fact, it was her friends holding the sign, saying which Western skater would topple East Germany’s Christine Errath.
Once she realized her mistake, she calmed down and skated away with the gold to match her dress.
33. Women’s Hockey Topples Canada: 1998 Olympics
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True, only six teams competed in the inaugural women’s hockey tournament in Nagano, Japan, but the U.S. certainly wasn’t the favorite. Canada had obliterated its opponents and won all competitions the previous year, leaving the U.S. in a perpetual second.
However, 1998 was the Americans’ year. Goals from Gretchen Ulion and Shelley Looney gave them an insurmountable lead, and Sandra Whyte’s score with eight seconds remaining sealed the deal in a 3-1 victory, bringing the first women’s hockey gold to the States.
32. Michael Johnson Shatters 200-Meter Record: 1996 Olympics
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Michael Johnson came into the 200m in Atlanta hunting down the man who held the record—himself. Clearly, Johnson was his own biggest competition.
Johnson clocked an unbelievable 19.32 seconds, breaking his own record with the largest improvement of the 200m ever. He later set the world records in the 4x400m relay, twice in the indoor 400m, and once in both the 300m and the outdoor 400m.
31. Bode Miller’s First Overall Title: 2005 Alpine World Cup
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Bode Miller became one of America’s greatest skiers ever with his performance in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. He did it unlike so many others had done in the past: Instead of resting and focusing on his best events, Miller gave it his all every time and ended up closing out the competition for the crown.
It has been 22 years since a Yankee had taken home skiing’s overall title, and Miller did it despite heavy criticism from the community and former skiers.
Good thing it’s not a team sport.
30. Bob Beamon’s Loooooong Jump: 1968 Olympics
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The best part about Beamon’s record jump may be that he didn’t know how good it was when he did it, because, being unfamiliar with foreign measurement, 8.9 meters didn’t seem like much.
When he found out that he’d actually broke the record with his 29-foot, 2.5-inch leap and that it was almost two feet clear of the previous mark, he collapsed in excitement on the track in Mexico City.
29. Flo Jo A-Go-Go: 1988 Olympics
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Florence Griffith-Joyner couldn’t have represented her nation much better. When the Olympics were in Seoul in 1988, she was the favorite and didn’t disappoint.
She didn’t get the nickname as the “fastest woman of all time” for nothing. She smoked the competition on the way to golds in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay, as well as a silver in 4x400m relay.
28. Joe Frazier Knocks out Germany: 1964 Olympics
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Shockingly, Joe Frazier actually was an alternate for the U.
S. team, and only made the trip to Tokyo because the only man who’d beaten him in his amateur career, Buster Mathis, busted a thumb before the Games.
Frazier gladly took his place, and quickly dispatched the competition. In the semifinal, he broke his thumb, but because he still won the match, he told no one as he prepared for Germany’s Hans Huber. With mostly all right-handed punches, Frazier still got three of the five judges on his side for the gold.
27. U.S. Boxes out the World: 1976 Olympics
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While Sugar Ray Leonard’s victory at the Montreal Olympics was the most notable, the U.S. also boasted one of its best boxing teams—if not the best—to ever enter the ring in red, white and blue.
Leonard, Leon Spinks, Michael Spinks, Leo Randolph and Howard Davis Jr. all grabbed golds, the most successful an American team has ever been. All but Davis went on to become professional world champions.
26. Matt Biondi’s Rainbow: 1988 Olympics
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Matt Biondi had one of the most bittersweet moments in Olympic history.
The good: He dominated the pools of Seoul, South Korea to the tune of five golds, one silver and one bronze, setting or helping set four world records in the process.
The bad: In the 100m butterfly, Biondi was in the lead down the stretch, and decided to coast as he neared the wall. That decision cost him a sixth gold, as Suriname’s Anthony Nesty bested him by .01 seconds by using an extra stroke.
25. U.S. Takes the First Women’s Crown: 1991 World Cup
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Guangdong, China held the first Women’s World Cup, and the Americans hit the pitch with more ferocity than anyone. They won their pool-play matches by a combined total of 11-2, and smashed Chinese Taipei and Germany to reach the final.
Norway put up a strong fight in the final, but Michelle Akers’ two goals, including the tiebreaker in the 78th minute, brought the U.S. its first world soccer title for both men and women.
24. U.S. Soccer Puts on Its Best Show: 1930 World Cup
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The inaugural World Cup featured only 13 teams, but the U.
S. made the most of its trip to Uruguay. Group play featured a 3-0 rout of Belgium, and the first-ever hat-trick recorded by FIFA coming from American Bert Patenaude against Paraguay.
Unfortunately, in the semifinal, the U.S. lost one if its players to a broken leg early on, and lost to Argentina 6-1. There was no bronze medal game at the time, but a FIFA technical committee declared the U.S. the third-place team, providing the country with its best outcome in the World Cup.
23. U.S. Softball Snags a Shocker: 1996 Olympics
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Softball finally debuted as a medal sport in 1996, and as the host nation, the U.S. certainly felt it should put its best foot forward.
The U.S. played in the first-ever Olympic softball game, trouncing Puerto Rico 10-0. They continued their dominance with a 8-1 record, with only a single round-robin loss to Australia, and prevailed 3-1 over China in the gold medal game.
22. Abby Wambach Uses Her Noggin: 2011 World Cup
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Abby Wambach’s head could make the Smithsonian one day.
With the USA women trailing 2-1 in the 122nd minute, Megan Rapinoe found Wambach with one of the best crosses ever, and Wambach leaped over the Brazilian goalie to head the ball into the back of the net.
The U.S. would go on to win in penalty kicks, and eventually make it all the way to the World Cup final in Germany.
21. Jim Thorpe Dominates -Athalons: 1912 Olympics
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Jim Thorpe was one of the most versatile athletes ever, qualifying for the long jump, high jump, pentathlon and decathlon at the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm. While those first two events didn’t go over so well, Thorpe mastered the two others.
Thorpe won four of the five events in the pentathlon, and placed in the top four in every decathlon event, giving him the gold in both. Thorpe’s 8,413 points in the decathlon would remain the world record for almost 20 years.
20. Eric Heiden’s Monster Performance: 1980 Olympics
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Known as one of the most successful Winter Olympians ever, Eric Heiden entered the 1980 Games in Lake Placid, N.
Y. as the U.S.’s golden goose.
Unsurprisingly, he laid five brilliant eggs. He dominated the 500m, 1,000m, 1,500m, 5,000m and 10,000m with times which were all either Olympic or world records and became a legend of the sport.
19. Wilma Rudolph’s Trifecta: 1960 Olympics
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Wilma Rudolph followed in the footsteps of her idol Jesse Owens, and had one of the most miraculous performances in women’s track history.
She became the first American woman to win three gold medals in the Olympics, winning 100m, 200m and 400m relay. Her display in Rome garnered her the title “The Fastest Woman in the World.”
18. Women’s Softball Dominates the Final Gold: 2004 Olympics
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Sports Illustrated called these lovely ladies the “Real Dream Team” thanks to their remarkable performance in Athens. The squad easily took down Australia in the final, 5-1.
The way they got there, however, is even more impressive: A sterling 9-0 record, eight straight shutouts and only one run given up in the entire tournament (in the sixth inning of the final).
Twas a beat-down.
17. Mark Spitz’ Swims for Seven: 1972 Olympics
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Germany must really get tired of Americans coming to their Olympics. After dominating both the Maccabiah and Pan American Games, Mark Spitz came to Munich with the deadliest flippers in the world.
Needless to say, he outperformed the loftiest expectations. Not only did he swim in one more event than originally planned and won them all, he set world records in all seven events (100m and 200m freestyle, 100m and 200m butterfly, 4x100m and 4x200m freestyle, and 4x100m medley).
With that kind of winning, even DJ Khaled would be proud.
16. Tommie Smith and John Carlos Salute: 1968 Olympics
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U.S. athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos won the gold and bronze, respectively, in the 200m at the Summer Olympics in 1968. Their physical accomplishment, however, paled in comparison to the gesture they made when they received their medals.
Smith and Carlos came to the podium shoeless, in black socks, each with one black glove on.
When the “Star-Spangled Banner” played, both bowed their heads and held a gloved fist in the air. The gesture was to represent unity and pride for not only their race, but for their country.
15. U.S. Hockey’s Forgotten Miracle: 1960 Olympics
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Later referred to as “The Forgotten Miracle” due to the lack of a color television broadcast, commentators or an extraordinary celebration, the U.S. hockey team’s unheralded streak in Squaw Valley, California was nothing short of legendary.
The Americans defeated all four favorites (Canada, the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia and Sweden) during their seven-game sweep of the Olympic games, giving the U.S. its first men’s ice hockey gold.
14. Kerri Strug’s Vault: 1996 Olympics
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“Heroic” doesn’t begin to define Kerri Strug’s performance in Atlanta. On her first attempt, she under-rotated on the vault and hurt her ankle, recording a score of 9.162. To clinch the gold, Strug had to go one more time.
On what turned out to be a third-degree lateral sprain and tendon damage in her ankle, Strug vaulted on both feet and hopped onto her good foot before collapsing to the ground in pain. The vault was still good for a 9.712, giving the U.S. the gold. Strug was carried to the podium by her teammates to join in the fun.
13. Michael Phelps Mines for Gold: 2008 Olympics
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Eight medals, let alone golds, is more than most Olympic athletes win in their entire career. Heck, it’s more than some countries win in a year. In fact, it’s more than 57 countries have won all-time.
Phelps won the 100m and 200m butterfly, 200m freestyle, 200m and 400m individual medleys, 4x100m and 4x200m freestyle relays, and the 4x100m medley relay. No word on whether he received gills as a bonus prize.
12. USSR Upsets USA in Basketball: 1972 Olympics
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This would be higher, but it’s truly a sad moment that needs to be fixed.
In what might be the most controversial game ever, Doug Collins sank two huge free throws to give the Americans a 50-49 lead.
Then, the madness happened.
An un-awarded timeout, an uncalled technical foul, three inbounds plays, a controversial referee gesture that gave the Soviet inbounder more space and multiple clock miscues eventually gave the Soviets a layup for the win, 51-50.
The Soviets took the gold. The U.S. never took silver, leaving their medals behind.
11. Ben Sheets Smothers Cuba: 2000 Olympics
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Cuba was the favorite, had been the favorite and would remain the favorite throughout the entire tournament at the Games in Sydney, Australia. Since becoming a medal sport, Cuba had never not won gold.
Until 2000. A rag-tag team featuring zero professional baseball players beat everyone in their path sans Cuba on the way to the gold medal game. Pitcher Ben Sheets would throw a complete game, three-hit shutout to bring the gold to American in part of the 4-0 victory.
10. The Black Mamba Bites Spain: 2008 Olympics
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If you are one of those people who argue “Kobe Bryant isn’t so clutch,” then you may want to ignore the 2008 gold medal game versus Spain in Beijing.
With 8:13 left in the fourth quarter and the U.S. up 91-89, the Black Mamba turned in one of the classic performances in international basketball.
In the next two-plus minutes, Bryant scored five points and assisted on a three-pointer and a dunk. He followed that up with two three-pointers, one of which was a four-point play. He ended up leading The Redeem Team in assists en route to a 118-107 victory.
9. Dan Jansen Overcomes Heartbreak: 1994 Olympics
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Dan Jansen suffered more heartbreak than most athletes can ever imagine: He came to Calgary, Canada in 1988 and Albertville, France in 1992 as a favorite in both the 500m and 1,000m races, and was denied both times in harsh circumstances.
That’s why in 1994, when Jansen arrived in Lillehammer, Americans rallied behind the Heartbreak Kid. Despite struggling in the 500m, Jansen set a world record in the 1,000m, taking home his one and only gold and dedicating it to his late sister, Jane.
8.
Mary Lou Retton’s Comeback: 1984 Olympics
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Mary Lou Retton was a question mark before the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, as she had just recovered in time from surgery. She put forth a valiant effort for the all-around title, and in the end, it came down to her versus Romania’s Ecaterina Szabó.
Trailing Szabó by .15 of a second with the vault and floor exercise remaining, Retton exploded for two perfect 10s and defeated her Soviet-bloc competitor by .05 points for the gold medal.
7. Muhammad Ali Lights the Way: 1996 Olympics
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Muhammad Ali was the face of American boxing for quite some time, so the country decided to give him the great honor of igniting the cauldron to signal the beginning of the 1996 Games in Atlanta.
He carried the torch, and was awarded a replacement medal for the one he threw into the Ohio River decades earlier.
6. Landon Donovan Strikes: 2010 World Cup
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The U.
S. just needed to beat Algeria, the bottom feeder of the group, in the 2010 World Cup to advance out of pool play. But after the first 90 minutes, the score was 0-0, and American fans were biting their fingernails.
Thank the lord for stoppage time. With four minutes added to the clock, Landon Donovan begin to streak down the far side of the field, leading the U.S. attack. The ball eventually is entered into Clint Dempsey, whose attempt is blocked, but the ball skitters away from the goalie to Donovan for the winner.
Let the vuvuzelas sound!
5. Lance Armstrong’s Magnificent Seven: Tour De France, 1999-2005
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Say what you want about cycling and its scandals—winning seven consecutive Tour de Frances is a feat that will likely never be repeated. Especially after surviving testicular cancer.
Fellow cyclists saw Armstrong don the yellow jersey so many times from 1999-2005, it wouldn’t be surprising if they thought America had changed its colors to red, white and yellow.
4. Brandi Chastain’s PK for Gold: 1999 World Cup
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The United States and China had battled their hearts out. Both teams had walked into the finals, allowing only three and two goals, respectively, in five matches each. It’s hard to call a favorite when both teams were so evenly matched and neither could score in 120 minutes on the pitch together.
So it all came down to penalty kicks. On China’s third kick, goalie Briana Scurry saved Liu Yang’s shot, opening the door for the U.S. After everyone else had shot, Brandi Chastain stepped up for one of the most memorable goals in U.S. soccer history.
Then she had one of the most memorable celebrations in U.S. soccer history.
3. The Dream Team: 1992 Olympics
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The 1992 men’s roster was the first to feature not just amateur and college athletes from America, but instead the cream-of-the-crop professionals. When the squad arrived in Barcelona, it featured 11 future Hall of Fame members.
..and Christian Laettner.
Led by Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley, the Americans romped their opponents by nearly 44 points per game on the way to the gold medal. Croatia gave the Dream Team its toughest test in the gold medal game, as Jordan and Co. squeaked by 117-85.
2. Jesse Owens Shocks Germany: 1936 Olympics
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Who doesn’t want to give Adolf Hitler a nice slap in the face? After tireless Nazi propaganda about the Aryan race’s superiority over Africans, Jesse Owens did just that.
Owens took to Berlin like a speeding train, winning the 100m, 200m, long jump and 4x100m relay, giving him the record for most track and field golds until Carl Lewis tied him almost 50 years later. Needless to say, Hitler was beside himself, and there is debate as to whether he intentionally snubbed greeting Owens afterwards.
1. The Miracle on Ice: 1980 Olympics
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Lake Placid, N.Y. erupted in joy when the boys in red, white and blue upset the far-and-beyond-favorite Soviets 4-3 in the medal round of the Winter Olympics.
Herb Brooks coached a bunch of amateur and collegiate players to one of the biggest hockey victories in U.S. history
The quote from Al Michaels as the final seconds ticked away, “Do you believe in miracles? YES!” will go down as one of the best sports quotes. What’s more, the Yanks took the momentum to the gold medal game and defeated Finland for the glory.
The 8 Greatest Events in US Sports History
Sports have been a medium to unite and divide people. It has a way of making an impression on people worldwide, leaving memories and bonds between the people you encounter with the same interests.
Witnessing history take place is something that draws us to become sports fans in the first place. Whether it’s unexpected like Kobe’s 81 or expected, the Dream Team of 1992. On this planet, you can experience and see history in different things, including sports. On this page, you can read about the rich and memorable events to ever happen in sports history.
Tiger Woods Wins 1997 Masters and Hugs Dad
We all know Tiger Woods’s exceptional craft in golf. But when he won the 1997 Masters at age 21, the youngest winner in history, and hugged his dad, it became an emotional moment in history that marked the beginning of his storied career in golf.
Tiger Woods’ first major championship win broke barriers and comforted the hearts of all Black people in the world. Moreover, he won this championship with a staggering 12-stroke margin and a motivated will.
Sports Betting Became Legal
Games of chance took place in America when its first settlers arrived in 1607. After this, gambling became legal and illegal in different years, even in the 21st century! Congress tried to shut down online sports betting in 2006.
Thankfully, the state’s long and tireless battle on legalizing gambling and betting ended and was rewarded on June 11, 2018, when Governor Phil Murphy signed Assembly Bill 411 and legalized casinos and racetracks within New Jersey.
Many states also underwent a legalization process, with different betting restrictions and legal betting ages.
Thanks to legislators’ efforts in different states, today, you can get the best sport odds from other legal sportsbooks. There are now numerous betting websites on the Internet that you can register in a matter of minutes. Get your best odds and lines from this betting website.
First Televised Sporting Event
It was not until 1936 when the first sporting event was televised; although they stopped televising sports events after 1936, Jesse Owens in his Olympics game. They jumped back on the bandwagon during Mayor 1939. NBC produced and televised a college baseball game between the Princeton Tigers and Columbia Lions. A few decades in, and in 2022, almost all big league sports can now be watched online or on television.
Serena Williams Wins the First Grand Slam
As a 17-year-old, Serena Williams won the first Grand Slam at the 1999 U.
S. Open at Wimbledon. Williams noted this win as the kick-starter for her tennis career.
The Final Shot of Michael Jordan as a Chicago Bull
Every basketball fan around the globe were at the edge of their seats as Michael Jordan clinched the 1998 NBA title, which was Chicago Bull’s third straight and sixth championship in eight seasons! Jordan threw a game-winning shot to wear the Chicago Bulls uniform for the last time.
Miracle on Ice
At the Winter Olympics during the 1980s, at the peak of the Cold War, a group of college students from the United States defeated the Soviet Union’s team that won four gold medals.
They were the youngest players to participate in the hockey Olympics, and they eventually won their first gold medal after defeating Finland in the finals. Many sports fans know about this match, and it’s dubbed the “Miracle on Ice” and remains one of the greatest sports moments in modern sports history.
It’s one, if not, the most remarkable underdog sports story!
George W. Bush Threw the First Pitch
President George Bush’s first pitch at the 2001 World Series in New York City is one of the greatest symbols of optimism for its citizens. After the 7/11 attacks, everyone was in shock and emotional turmoil after the national tragedy.
Yet, President Bush’s throw gave a sense of courage to its citizens that’s now remembered in sports history. While numerous presidents in U.S. history have thrown the first pitch, President Bush’s throw symbolizes resilience; this pitch had a meaning that victims of the 7/11 attack cherished.
Jackie Robinson Broke the Color Barrier
In addition to Tiger Woods, Jackie Robinson also played a part in breaking the color barrier; in fact, he was among the first people to do this. On April 15, 1947, he became the first African American player in Major League Baseball. He was starting at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
This part of history forever challenged the game’s history and, most importantly, began to end racism.
Final Thoughts
History tells us so much about our ancestors, culture, traditions, and how some historical events shaped us today, in this case, sports. Sports isn’t just about throwing balls into hoops or scoring balls into the goal. Sports reflect how even though decades have changed, players’ passion and enthusiasm to improve their craft is the same.
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Key dates from the history of sports. Olympteka.ru. Olympteka.ru
1733 Cross-country skiing
Hans Eahusen (Jens Henrik Eahusen / 1688-1752 /) published the first instruction on ski training of troops with a clearly sporting bias.
1767 Biathlon
Norway hosted the first competitions in skiing with shooting, which became the prototype of modern biathlon.
1767 Cross-country skiing
Military skiing competitions were held in Norway.
The competition program included, along with cross-country skiing, a descent from a moderately steep slope with shooting from a gun at a specific target at a distance of 40-50 steps (the prototype of biathlon competitions).
June 10, 1825 Cross-country skiing
Sandre Nordheim was born in the Norwegian town of Morgedal, who had a great influence on the development of skiing and skiing. In 1884 he emigrated to the USA. He died March 9, 1897 in Sev. Dakota (USA).
1862 Ski jumping
In the Norwegian town of Trysil, ski jumping competitions were held, which are considered to be the first official in this sport.
May 31, 1868 Cycling
The first 2000m bicycle race is organized in the Parisian suburb of Saint Cloud. The winner of the race was the Englishman J. Moore. This date is considered to be the birth date of cycling.
1889 Speed skating
The first World Championship in speed skating was held in Amsterdam (Netherlands), in which only men took part
1891 Figure skating
The first European Championship in speed skating and figure skating among men was held in Hamburg (Germany)
January 31, 1892 combination) .
The winner was Norwegian Svein Solid (Svein Sollid) from Morgedal (Morgedal).
1895 Volleyball
William J. Morgan, YMCA instructor in Holyoke, Mass., decided to mix elements of basketball, baseball, tennis and handball in order to create a new game for his business friends that would be less contact than basketball. He created the game of volleyball. Morgan borrowed a net from a tennis court and set it up at a height of approximately 196 cm from the floor, so that the grid was slightly higher than the head of a person of average height at that time.
While demonstrating the game, someone pointed out to Morgan that the players tossed (to volley) the ball back and forth over the net and perhaps “Volleyball” (volleyball) would be the most appropriate name for this sport.
December 29, 1895
In Moscow, on the territory of the current stadium of Young Pioneers, the grand opening of the first organization in the country leading the development of skiing – the Moscow Ski Club took place.
This date is considered to be the official birthday of skiing in Russia
March 12, 1899 Ice hockey
In St. Petersburg (the capital of the Russian Empire), at the Tuchkov bridge on the ice of the Malaya Neva, the first international ice hockey match in Russia took place. The Russian team “Sport” played with a team of Englishmen living in the Russian capital. The match ended with the score 4:4.
May 21, 1904 Football
The International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) is founded in Paris.
December 1906 Basketball
The first basketball match in Russia took place in St. Petersburg. In the hall of the officer fencing school (Pavlovsky barracks) on Inzhenernaya Street, the tournament of the Mayak society opened the duel between the Greens and the Purples, after which the Whites and Reds, also named after the color of their jerseys, entered the court. The first match was won by “Purple” led by Stepan Vasiliev.
This 26-year-old basketball enthusiast was the first to translate the rules into Russian and persuaded his friends to play the outlandish overseas gamelll
February 28, 1911 Speed skating
On the ice track in Trondheim, Norway, Nikolay Strunnikov from St. Petersburg won the fourth victory in a row, and again with a personal record. He was presented with a wreath of the absolute winner of the 19th World Speed Skating Championship. In addition, he brought from Norway and the title “Slavic miracle” assigned to him. So called him a newspaper published in Trondheim, which the amazing runner kept all his life.
25 most touching moments in sports history
… each of which is a perfect answer to the question of why people do all this and all this look.
1.
Black track and field athlete Jesse Owens takes four gold medals in Nazi Germany
(Berlin Olympics, 1936)
The Berlin Games were conceived by the Nazis as proof of the superiority of Aryan athletes, but the plan was violated by American Jesse Owens .
He won three gold medals in running (100m and 200m, 4 x 100m relay) and one in long jump. Hitler, upset by this result, refused to shake hands with Owens.
2.
Football goalkeeper Frantisek Planicka plays with a broken arm
(World Cup 1938) e 1 :1 broke his arm, did not listen to the doctors and refused to leave the field. Despite severe pain, he withstood all the extra time and did not concede. In the replay two days later, the Brazilians were still stronger (2:1).
3.
Runner Emil Zatopek wins all long distances
(Helsinki Olympics, 1952)
In Helsinki, Czech Zatopek became the king of all long distances – 5 and 10 kilometers and even the marathon. He endured these inhuman loads in just eight days – no one has yet repeated such success, and it is unlikely that this will happen in the future. Most surprising of all, before the 1952 Olympics, Zatopek had never run a marathon in competition. This adventure was provoked by his wife Dana Ingrova, who took gold in javelin throwing.
4.
Football player Igor Netto admits that his team did not score a goal
(World Cup, 1962)
During the group stage match against Uruguay with the score 1:1, the captain of the USSR national team Igor Netto asked the referee not to count the goal his team: the ball hit the goal from the side through a hole in the net. The referee thanked Netto for his incredible honesty, but the Soviet team still won, scoring the decisive goal a minute before the end.
5.
Abebe Bikila wins a marathon without running shoes
(Olympics in Rome, 1960)
A few hours before the start, Ethiopian runner Bikila came to try on sneakers from the equipment supplier, but never found a suitable pair: they were too small and caused discomfort. Then he courageously entered the distance barefoot and overtook everyone on hot asphalt.
6.
Paavo Nurmi wins the 1500m and 5000m with almost no rest
(Paris Olympics, 1924)
Only two hours separated Finn Nurmi’s winning race.
Even without rest and proper recovery, he was significantly better than his competitors – all thanks to a special training system, very unusual for the beginning of the 20th century. Paavo himself developed a training methodology, ran three times a day and adhered to the most severe diet. This brought him a total of nine Olympic gold medals.
7.
Bobsledder Eugenio Monti saves competitors
(Innsbruck Olympics, 1964)
Italian Monti’s deuce was in the lead when the main competitors – Anthony Nash and Robin Dixon – broke a bob right before the start. They were missing an important mounting bolt, so Monty gave them his own and secured the skids himself. The British were so successful that they won the gold, and Monty was awarded the True Spirit of Sport Medal for his deed.
8.
Opponents share skis with Soviet biathlete Tikhonov
(Olympic Games in Sapporo, 1972)
The USSR was the main contender for gold in the relay, but at the first stage, disaster struck: Alexander Tikhonov’s ski broke.
None of his friends were around, and he moved for almost a kilometer literally on one leg – until a fundamental rival from the GDR shared his spare ski. Tikhonov passed the baton to ninth, but the partners pulled out the race, and the USSR received gold. The GDR team became the third.
9.
Boxer Billy Miske continues his career despite a terminal illness
(1918)
At age 24, Miske learned that he had an incurable kidney disorder that left him no more than five years to live. Out of desperation, he went into the automobile business. The case quickly failed, Billy was left with an impressive debt of 100 thousand dollars. To return this money, he had to enter the ring again. After he received the news of his illness, Miske fought 30 fights. For the last fee, he gave his wife a piano. And died after Christmas.
10.
The USSR national team wins the basketball final against the USA
(Olympics in Munich, 1972)
Three seconds before the final whistle, the USA won with a score of 50:49.
There were several controversial stops in the match, the referees even rewinded the game stopwatch, so the situation was as nervous as possible. At the decisive moment, Ivan Edeshko made a pass across the entire court, and Alexander Belov scored the winning goal. The Americans, who have not lost at the Olympics for 63 matches, did not come to the awards ceremony in protest against the fuss with the stopwatch.
11.
Students beat Soviet champions Hockey
(Olympiad in Lake Placide, 1980)
The most painful defeat of the USSR hockey team happened in a match with the US team, which was collected from student team players (while the USSR was then the reigning world and Olympic champion). The Americans fought back the whole match, and in the third period they achieved a strong-willed victory (4:3), for the Soviet players it was a real humiliation. An eternal example of a situation where unknown athletes defeat champions.
12.
Runner Derek Redmond reaches the finish line despite injury
(Barcelona Olympics, 1992)
Briton Redmond was one of the contenders for medals in the 400 meters, but in the semi-finals tore the ligaments of his right leg and ru chnul to the track.
Usually in such situations, everyone leaves the race, but Derek, supported by his father, who jumped out of the podium, made it to the finish line. For this, he was applauded by the whole stadium, and the recording of the touching episode was later used in Nike’s motivational video.
13.
Alpine skier Herman Mayer wins medals after accidents
(Olympics in Nagano, 1998; Olympics in Turin, 2006) landed on his head and only miraculously escaped serious injury. Within a couple of days after the fall, he won two gold medals in other disciplines. A few years later, Mayer returned to the sport after a motorcycle accident and took the bronze of the 2006 Games.
14.
Manchester United win the Champions League in stoppage time
(1999)
The most dramatic end to a match in football history. Manchester United lost to Bayern from the sixth minute and almost lost hope of salvation. However, two corners turned everything upside down: in the 91st minute, Manchester equalized, and 90 seconds later scored the winning goal.
The Bayern players lay on the lawn and did not understand how it happened at all.
15.
Football player Paolo Di Canio does not score a goal
(English League 2000)
Loving Di Canio was incredibly difficult: he could fight with his coach or take the ball from a partner to take a penalty. But on December 16, 2000, Paolo forever won the respect of the fans: moments before the end of the match with Everton, with a draw, he could score into an empty net and bring West Ham a victory, but noticed that the opponent’s goalkeeper was injured and took ball in hand.
16.
Wrestler Rulon Gardner defeats Alexander Karelin
(Sydney Olympics, 2000)
After the Games in Australia, Gardner admitted that he was afraid to go to the final against Karelin because he did not know how to beat him. The Russian wrestler has not lost for 13 years and has not given a single point to his opponents in fights for six years: it was almost impossible to take down such a champion.
It was only the second defeat in Karelin’s career, and after Sydney he ended his career.
17.
Michael Phelps loses his place in the relay final to his main rival
(Athens Olympics, 2004)
Phelps was supposed to compete in the final of the 4×100 medley relay, but unexpectedly refused and handed over his stage to the main rival Ian Crocker, whom he had beaten shortly before in the 100-meter butterfly. Crocker received the gold medal (before that, Athens had silver and bronze), and Phelps was applauded for his generosity.
18.
Tennis player Andy Roddick corrects referee error
(Masters tournament in Rome, 2007)
The referee had already given Roddick a win when he reported the error and asked to resume the game: it turns out that in the last draw, Fernando Verdasco’s opponent made an ace, and did not get out. By that time, the American took one set and led in the second with three match points, but Verdasco unexpectedly added.
He immediately saved the game on his serve, won the second set, and then the whole match. If Roddick had not corrected the referee, he would have made it to the next round.
19.
An African enters a large pool for the first time, but does not give up
(Sydney Olympics, 2000)
Eric Mussambani from Equatorial Guinea came to Sydney on a special quota. His opponents were disqualified for a false start, so he ended up in the water alone. He swam terribly slowly, but everyone present was aware that Mussambani was engaged without a coach and for the first time in his life he saw a large competitive pool. The swimmer was given the warmest support from the stands, and he eventually made it to the finish line, although he showed the worst time in the 100 meters in the history of the Olympic Games.
20.
Gymnast Alexei Nemov calms the audience
(Olympics in Athens, 2004)
Four-time Olympic champion Alexei Nemov performed the most difficult program on the bar in history, but the referees put him only in fifth place.
The fans, outraged by the refereeing, chanted the name of Nemov and whistled – because of the noise, the performances stopped for fifteen minutes. Nemov could have taken advantage of the situation and disrupted the competition, but instead went to the stands and reassured the audience.
21.
Judoka Dmitry Nosov wins bronze medal with an arm injury
(Athens Olympics, 2004)
Nosov lost in the semi-final and was seriously injured, due to which he could hardly move his left arm. Nevertheless, he entered the fight for third place and won, having received a second injury – an eyebrow cut. Victory celebrated, bleeding.
22.
John Isner wins the longest match in tennis history
(Wimbledon 2010)
By the third day, the confrontation between Isner and Nicolas Mayu became more important than the matches of the first rackets of the world. The game began on June 22, was interrupted twice due to darkness, and ended only on the 24th.
Tennis players spent 11 hours on the court, and the decisive set included 138 games (70:68 in favor of Isner). It is completely incomprehensible how the players survived this marathon.
23.
Swimmer Anthony Erwin wins gold after drug addiction and suicide attempt
(Rio de Janeiro Olympics, 2016)
Erwin won his first Olympic gold at the 2000 Olympics, but then the sport got bored and problems began: alcohol, drugs, depression. To forget about the past, Anthony sold the medal and donated the money to charity. He tried to commit suicide by taking a large dose of tranquilizers, but woke up in the morning as if nothing had happened. He then began working as a children’s swimming coach and gradually returned to the sport. In 2016 in Rio, Ervin won the 50m freestyle and became the oldest champion in swimming history.
24.
Lawrence Lemu saves yachtsmen from another class and loses a medal
(Seoul Olympics 1988) water of the Singaporean yachtsmen from the 470 class.
