23 Of The Most Powerful Pictures In Olympic History

American athlete Betty Robinson (second from left) wins the final of the women's 100-meter event during the Olympic Games in Amsterdam on July 31, 1928.

The medalists in the long jump competition salute from the victory stand at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin on Aug. 8, 1936. From left, Japan's Naoto Tajima (bronze); American Jesse Owens (gold), who set an Olympic record in the event and offers an American-style salute with his hand to his forehead; and Germany's Luz Long (silver) giving a Nazi salute.

The Olympic team from Formosa, now Taiwan, protest after they were forced to change their name from the Republic of China to Formosa on Aug. 25, 1960.

The 1960 Olympic medalists for light heavyweight boxing take the winners' podium at Rome: Cassius Clay, gold; Zbigniew Pietrzykowski of Poland (right), silver; and Giulio Saraudi (Italy) and Anthony Madigan (Australia), joint bronze.

Abebe Bikila crosses the finish line while barefoot on Sept. 11, 1960, at the Olympic Games in Rome.

British athlete Ann Packer is cheered on by students at the Coombe County Girls School, after winning the 800 meters at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964 and setting a new world record in the process.

American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos raise their fists and give the Black Power salute at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. The move was a symbolic protest against racism in the United States. Smith, the gold medalist, and Carlos, who took bronze, were subsequently suspended from their team for their actions.

A masked PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) terrorist is seen in the Olympic Village after taking hostages and later killing nine members of the Israeli Olympic Team during the 1972 Summer Olympics.

Poland's Wladyslaw Kozakiewicz joyfully claims the gold medal after clearing the best height and setting a new world record in the Olympic pole vault event on July 30, 1980, in Moscow. In Poland, the gesture was viewed as a symbol of resistance against Soviet dominance.

A stuntman attempts to parachute into the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony.

Britain's Derek Redmond grimaces as he is helped across the finish line by his father in Barcelona's Olympic Stadium on Aug. 3, 1992. Redmond was injured when he fell during the semifinals of the men's 400-meter race.

From left: Larry Bird, Scottie Pippen, Michael Jordan, Clyde Drexler, and Karl Malone stand victorious with the American flag after winning the final game in Barcelona on Aug. 8, 1992.

Harding leaves the ice in tears at the Lillehammer Winter Olympics on Feb. 23, 1994. After consulting the judges, she was allowed more time to repair her boot lace and returned to finish her program.

Muhammad Ali lights the Olympic flame during the Opening Ceremony of the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

Unofficial US woman's gymnastics team coach Bela Karolyi lifts Strug in his arms after the US won their first Olympic team gold medal ever.

Flag bearers Eun-Soon Chung and Jang-Choo Pak lead the Korean Olympic Teams from the North and South together in a gesture of reconciliation during the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

After all other competitors were disqualified for false starts, Moussambani completed the men's 100-meter freestyle at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games in a time of 1:52.72, over a minute behind the world record for the distance. This was his first time swimming in an Olympic-size pool.

The Brazilian was attacked by a spectator in the latter stages of the marathon on Aug. 29, 2004. De Lima who was expected to win the gold, finished in third place and earned the bronze medal.

Ángel Valodia Matos kicks referee Chakir Chelbat after he lost his bronze medal contest in the men's +80 kg taekwondo competition during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on Aug. 23, 2008.

Michael Phelps reacts after winning the men's 100-meter butterfly swimming final during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing.

Usain Bolt of Jamaica competes in the men's 100-meter semifinal on Day 9 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on Aug. 14. Bolt took home his third consecutive gold.