The top 10 biggest Olympic upsets of all time

By Jayson Panganiban April 25, 2024 19:50

Photo by Lee Jin-man/AP

The Olympic Games have always been a stage for breathtaking upsets and unexpected victories.

From the "Miracle on Ice" to the underdog triumphs in various sports, there have been numerous instances where athletes defied the odds and emerged victorious.

1. Billy Mills' 10,000m Victory - Tokyo 1964

Billy Mills, an unknown runner from the United States, etched his name in Olympic history with an astonishing upset at the 1964 Tokyo Games.

With a remarkable sprint in the final meters, Mills secured an unexpected gold medal in the 10,000m race, defeating renowned athletes and becoming an iconic underdog story.

2. Ester Ledecka's Alpine Skiing Super-G Triumph - Pyeongchang 2018

Ester Ledecka, a Czech snowboarder, stunned the world by winning the Alpine skiing Super-G event at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games

. Despite never finishing on the podium in any alpine event and having to borrow skis, Ledecka's unforgettable run saw her snatch the gold from the two-time World champion Anna Veith.

3. Rulon Gardner's Wrestling Victory - Sydney 2000

Rulon Gardner, an American Greco-Roman wrestler, achieved an unimaginable feat at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Despite entering the Games as a complete unknown, Gardner defied the odds by defeating Aleksandr Karelin, a three-time gold medalist who had been undefeated for 13 years, in an iconic underdog triumph.

4. Kostas Kenteris' 200m Sprint - Sydney 2000

Greek sprinter Kostas Kenteris surprised the Olympic world with his remarkable performance in the 200m final at the 2000 Sydney Games.

Despite recently switching from the 400m discipline to 200m and competing against established superstars, Kenteris astonished the world, marking an unforgettable moment in Olympic history.

5. Emil Zatopek's Marathon Victory - Helsinki 1952

Emil Zatopek, a Czechoslovakian distance runner, orchestrated one of the greatest upsets in Olympic history at the 1952 Helsinki Games.

Zatopek's decision to enter the race on an impulse led to an unexpected gold medal triumph, showcasing the power of determination and unyielding spirit.

6. Mary Lou Retton's Gymnastics Triumph - Los Angeles 1984

Mary Lou Retton, representing the United States, defied expectations and changed the course of women's gymnastics with her upset victory in the individual all-around competition at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.

By defeating a group of highly talented Romanian gymnasts, Retton's unexpected triumph marked a pivotal moment in Olympic history.

7. Great Britain's Upset in Softball - Beijing 2008

The US Women's Softball team's stunning loss to Japan at the 2008 Beijing Games marked a significant upset, ending their streak of three consecutive gold medals.

Japan's remarkably resilient performance denied the U.S. team a chance for a fourth straight gold medal.

8. Sweden's Victory in Women's Ice Hockey - Turin 2006

In a historic upset, Sweden defeated the United States in the semifinals of the 2006 Olympic women's ice hockey tournament, marking the first time at a major competition that the U.S. team lost to a team other than Canada.

Sweden's unexpected triumph against the dominant American team resonated as the biggest upset in the history of women's international hockey.

9. Great Britain's Soccer Triumph - Paris 1924

Great Britain's astonishing victory over defending gold medalist Belgium at the 1924 Paris Games, with a remarkable scoreline of 8-1, showcased the power of unexpected triumphs in Olympic history.

10. Eric "The Eel" Moussambani's Swim - Sydney 2000

In a heartwarming display of determination and courage, Equatorial Guinea's Eric Moussambani's iconic 100m freestyle swim at the 2000 Sydney Olympics captured the world's attention.

Moussambani's courageous swim left a timeless and iconic image, emphasizing the Olympic spirit of perseverance and triumph against all odds.

These monumental upsets in Olympic history serve as a testament to the unwavering determination, resilience, and indomitable spirit of the underdogs who defied expectations and emerged victorious on the grandest stage of them all.

Each of these stories embodies the essence of the Olympic Games as a platform for extraordinary feats and the triumph of the human spirit.