With the 2016 Rio Olympics set to kick off tomorrow, here are some iconic moments from the prestigious athletic event that has helped fuel our Olympic fever!
Shoutout to Refinery29 for compiling parts of this list
1) In 1984, Mary Lou Retton wins the first gold medal in history for the U.S. gymnastics team
2) Team USA wins gold medal in figure skating after 16-year drought thanks to Kristi Yamaguchi.
"Yamaguchi didn't just end a 16-year gold-medal drought for Team USA; with this win she also became the first Asian-American woman to win Olympic gold in any sport."
3) Jesse Owens not only wins gold but breaks records at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin
"Owens won a total of four gold medals that year: in the 100m, the 200m, the 4x100m relay, and the long-jump competitions. He also managed to break or equal nine Olympic records, and also set three world records. Hitler wanted the 1936 Berlin Games to prove his theory of Aryan racial superiority. Instead, Jesse Owens left a hero."
4) This list wouldn't be complete without mentioning the most decorated Olympian of all time: Michael Phelps. At the 2012 Olympics, he won his 19th medal.
5) Who can forget the 1992 Summer Olympic basketball DREAM TEAM?
In Barcelona, Team USA united some of the best NBA players to create the undefeatable "dream team" -- Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Scottie Pippen, Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson...the list goes on and on.
6)Tommie Smith & John Carlos "Black Power" Salute in the 1968 Mexico Olympics
7) Usain Bolt (what a fitting name) becomes the fastest man in the world
Bolt became the first man to run 100m in 9.69 seconds, beating his own world record.
8) Cassius Clay wins GOLD
At the 1960 Olympic games in Rome, the late Cassius Clay - later known as Muhammad Ali - won the gold medal.
9) Who can forget Derek Redmond's memorable finish at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.
After pulling his hamstring and collapsing on the tracks during the 400m race, Redmond picked himself back up to finish the race -- hopping. His father then jumped into the track and helped carry his son to the finish line.
Are you ready for the Olympics? Let the coundown begin!
Cover photo source: newswire.net
Read more by Wall St. Whisperer