7 of the most iconic moments from the Tokyo Olympics
Masseh Danishyar reflects on the moments that made the games golden.
Now officially wrapped up, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games were rather unorthodox due to the COVID-19 pandemic that took the world by storm, postponing the global competition for a year and prohibiting live spectators. That being said, like any other Olympics, it certainly provided audiences with astonishing moments of unity, courage and sheer athletic prowess.
1 - Emma McKeon – Most medals won by a woman at an Olympic Games
Previously, USSR gymnast Mariya Gorokhovskaya set the world record after winning an incredible seven medals at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki. While Gorokhovskaya still holds this record, she is now joined by Australian swimmer Emma McKeon, who equalled her record for seven medals won in a single Olympic Games by winning four gold and three bronze medals, becoming Australia’s most successful Olympian of all time and the most decorated athlete in Tokyo.
2 - Dean Boxall’s passionate but controversial celebration
After winning gold in the 400m freestyle by beating USA’s Katie Ledecky, Ariarne Titmus’s coach Dean Boxall broke into a triumphant celebration by shouting, punching the air and swinging on the railing, perfectly encapsulating the passion, joy and spirit of these Olympic Games even in the midst of a global pandemic. Some critics said he went overboard, but I think this moment perfectly summarised how many Australians felt watching Titmus’ success.
3 - Jamaican Excellence
The women’s sprinting races were subject to controversy prior to the Games’ commencement after USA’s Sha’Carri Richardson’s suspension for a positive drug test. This was a pretty big blow for Richardson, who was tipped as a favourite and had a global fan base supporting her. In spite of this, Jamaica, known globally for their undisputed success in Olympic sprinting events due in part to the efforts of Usain Bolt, undeniably prolonged the nation’s legacy. This came as Elaine Thompson-Herah achieved what is known as a “double double” by winning both the 100m and 200m races with record breaking times that cemented her status as the second fastest sprinter of all time in both races.
4 - Boomers win first Olympic medal
Historically, Australia has excelled in many Olympic sports, but basketball has not been one of them. This all changed in Tokyo, when the Boomers, led by Brooklyn Nets Point Guard Patty Mills, triumphed over Slovenia in a 107-93 victory to win the bronze medal. This might just be the turning point for Australian basketball on the world stage, especially considering more Australian players are being represented in the NBA. One of those stars is Oklahoma City Thunder’s Josh Giddey, the 6th pick in the 1st round of the 2021 NBA Draft. This will surely make Australia a contender for more Olympic medals in the future.
5 - High jumpers share gold
Competition and rivalries are what fuels global sporting events like the Olympic Games, but sportsmanship is what makes them memorable. The High Jump Finals finished in a draw between Mutaz Essa Barshim (Qatar) and Gianmarco Tamberi (Italy), with the pair agreeing to share their gold medal, showing that, in these times, harmony is more important than victory. Not many who make it to the highest stage are willing to make such compromises, but those who do will always cement their names in the history books.
6. Simone Biles’ triumphant return
24-year-old American gymnast Simone Biles had initially withdrawn from the balance beam final to focus on her mental health, receiving global praise for her decision given the gravity of her situation. However, in what was an emotional display of resilience, Biles dramatically returned to participate in the final to help her team win the bronze medal. This not only confirmed her status as the most decorated Olympic gymnast in history with a total of seven medals, but it also set a standard for athletes around the world to prioritise their mental health.
7 - Child skateboarders
Tokyo also saw the debut of skateboarding as an official Olympic sport, bringing a level of youthful exuberance to the Games. Competitors taking the spotlight such as Momiji Nishiya (13) and Kokona Hiraki (12) are barely old enough to watch The Avengers without parental supervision! Nishiya won the first gold medal for this new event, simultaneously setting the world record and becoming Japan’s youngest gold medallist at the age of 13.
You might be missing the thrill of all of these iconic olympic moments. Thankfully the Paralympics kick off in just a couple weeks and without a doubt there will be just as many impressive displays of athleticism, teamwork and unadulterated joy.