© Getty Images

Jesse Owens at the 1936 Berlin Olympics -

Jesse Owens, an African American athlete, won four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, defying Adolf Hitler's vision of Aryan supremacy.

© Getty Images

Miracle on Ice -

At the 1980 Winter Olympics, the underdog US men's hockey team stunned the heavily favored Soviet Union with a 4-3 victory, which became known as the "Miracle on Ice." This win, set against the backdrop of Cold War tensions, became an iconic moment in American sports history.

© Getty Images

Pelé's 1,000th career goal -

Brazilian soccer legend Pelé scored his 1,000th career goal on November 19, 1969, a milestone that underscored his dominance in the sport.

© Getty Images

Michael Jordan's flu game -

In Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals, despite suffering from flu-like symptoms, Michael Jordan delivered an iconic 38-point performance, leading the Chicago Bulls to victory over the Utah Jazz.

© Getty Images

Battle of the Sexes -

In 1973, Billie Jean King faced Bobby Riggs in the "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match. King’s victory over Riggs, who had claimed that women couldn’t compete with men, became a symbol of gender equality in sports.

© Getty Images

The Rumble in the Jungle -

In 1974, Muhammad Ali battled George Foreman in the legendary "Rumble in the Jungle." Utilizing his "rope-a-dope" tactic, Ali reclaimed the heavyweight title in one of boxing's most unforgettable matches. This victory further cemented his legacy as one of the greatest athletes of all time.

© Getty Images

Nadia Comăneci's perfect 10 -

At the 1976 Montreal Olympics, Romanian gymnast Nadia Comăneci scored the first-ever perfect 10 in Olympic gymnastics history. The 14-year-old became an international sensation. 

© Getty Images

Lionel Messi's record-breaking goal -

In 2012, Lionel Messi set a new record by scoring 91 goals in a calendar year, surpassing Gerd Müller’s long-standing record.

© Getty Images

The Chicago Cubs end a 108-year drought -

In 2016, the Chicago Cubs won the World Series against the Cleveland Indians (now known as the Cleveland Guardians), ending a 108-year championship drought, the longest in US sports history.

© Getty Images

The gymnastic superstar -

Gymnast Simone Biles made history at the 2016 Rio Olympics, winning four gold medals and a bronze. Her incredible performances showcased her unmatched talent and athleticism, solidifying her status as one of the most dominant athletes in gymnastics history.

© Getty Images

Usain Bolt's 100m world record -

In 2009, Usain Bolt set a new 100m world record, finishing in 9.58 seconds at the World Championships in Berlin, making him one of the greatest track athletes ever.

© Getty Images

Hand of God -

In the 1986 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals, Argentina's Diego Maradona scored the infamous "Hand of God" goal against England, using his hand to punch the ball into the net. This controversial moment became iconic, later followed by his legendary "Goal of the Century" in the same match.

© Getty Images

Serena Williams wins Australian Open while pregnant -

Serena Williams secured her 23rd Grand Slam title at the Australian Open while eight weeks pregnant, solidifying her status as one of the greatest athletes of all time.

© Getty Images

Kobe Bryant's final game -

In his final NBA game, Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant scored an astonishing 60 points against the Utah Jazz in 2016. 

© Getty Images

Jackie Robinson breaks MLB's color barrier -

In 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first African American to play Major League Baseball, joining the Brooklyn Dodgers. Challenging segregation in American sports, he paved the way for future generations of athletes.

© Getty Images

Roger Bannister breaks the four-minute mile -

On May 6, 1954, British runner Roger Bannister became the first person to break the four-minute mile, finishing in 3:59.4.

© Getty Images

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal's epic Wimbledon final -

Their 2008 Wimbledon final is considered one of the greatest tennis matches ever, with Nadal defeating Federer in a five-set thriller that lasted nearly five hours.

© Getty Images

The first women's marathon at the Olympics -

Joan Benoit, an American long-distance runner, won the inaugural women's marathon at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, marking a significant milestone for women in sports.

© Getty Images

Tiger Woods' 1997 Masters victory -

In 1997, Tiger Woods won the Masters Tournament by a record 12 strokes, making history as the first African-American golfer to win the event and becoming the youngest champion at just 21 years old.

© Getty Images

Record-breaking gold medalist -

At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Michael Phelps won eight gold medals, breaking Mark Spitz's record of seven. Phelps' unprecedented achievement solidified his place in Olympic history, contributing to his overall total of 28 Olympic medals, the most of any athlete to date.

© Getty Images

Ayrton Senna's rain mastery -

Brazilian Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna delivered one of the greatest drives in F1 history at the 1993 European Grand Prix, overtaking four cars in the opening lap in treacherous wet conditions. His rain-soaked victory solidified his reputation as one of the most skilled drivers in motorsport history.

© Getty Images

Yelena Isinbayeva's world records in pole vault -

Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva broke the women's pole vault world record multiple times, achieving a height of 5.06 meters in 2009. Her dominance in the 2000s, including two Olympic golds, inspired a new generation of female athletes.

© Getty Images

Björn Borg's five consecutive Wimbledon titles -

Swedish tennis player Björn Borg won five consecutive Wimbledon titles between 1976 and 1980. His dominance on grass courts and epic rivalry with John McEnroe made him one of the greatest players in tennis. 

© Getty Images

Eliud Kipchoge's sub-two-hour marathon -

Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge became the first person to run a marathon in under two hours, achieving a time of 1:59:40 in Vienna, Austria in 2019.

© Getty Images

The first women's World Cup -

The inaugural FIFA Women’s World Cup, held in 1991 in China, marked a turning point for women's sports. The US emerged as the champions, defeating Norway 2-1 in the final.

© Getty Images

Breaking his own world record -

Armand Duplantis, aswedish-American pole vaulter, solidified his legacy at the 2024 Paris Olympics by winning gold and setting a new Olympic record of 6.25 meters, breaking his previous record by a centimeter.

© Getty Images

Emil Zátopek’s triple gold -

Czech long-distance runner Emil Zátopek made Olympic history at the 1952 Helsinki Games by winning gold in the 5,000 meters, 10,000 meters, and marathon. This unmatched achievement remains one of the greatest feats in Olympic history.

© Getty Images

Breaking the curse -

In 2004, the Boston Red Sox ended an 86-year title drought by winning the World Series. Their dramatic comeback against the Yankees in the ALCS and victory broke the "Curse of the Bambino." 

© Getty Images

Barefoot marathon champion -

In the 1960 Rome Olympics, Ethiopian runner Abebe Bikila won the marathon while running barefoot, becoming the first African to win an Olympic gold medal.

© Getty Images

Cathy Freeman's 400m gold at the Sydney Olympics -

Australian sprinter Cathy Freeman’s gold medal in the 400m at the 2000 Sydney Olympics was a defining moment. As an Indigenous Australian, her victory symbolized unity, leaving a lasting impact on the nation.

Sources: (History) (Sport's Illustrated) (ESPN) 

See also: Women outperform men in these sports. Can you guess what they are? 

© Getty Images