Iconic Moments
The records, upsets, tragedies and triumphs that stopped the world and changed sport forever — one moment at a time.
All Iconic Moments
Sorted by date — the moments that made headlines and changed history.
Jesse Owens Wins Four Golds at Hitler's Olympics
The greatest individual political statement in Olympic history — and the most devastating rebuke of racist ideology through sport.
AthleticsRoger Bannister Breaks the Four-Minute Mile
The most psychologically significant athletic barrier ever broken — proving that human limits are largely mental constructs.
AthleticsCassius Clay Defeats Sonny Liston
The moment that introduced the greatest heavyweight champion to the world — and one of sport's most perfectly delivered upsets.
BoxingAli vs Liston — The Phantom Punch
One of sport's most debated moments — did Liston take a dive? The question has never been definitively answered.
BoxingEngland Win the World Cup
England's only World Cup victory — and the defining moment in the history of English sport.
FootballPelé Scores His 1,000th Goal
The only player in football history to score 1,000 goals — a total that may never be approached.
FootballSecretariat's Belmont — 31 Lengths
Widely considered the greatest individual performance in the history of horse racing.
Horse RacingAli vs Foreman — The Rumble in the Jungle
The most strategically brilliant performance in heavyweight boxing history.
BoxingNadia Comăneci Scores the First Perfect 10
The moment that defined gymnastics and established the perfect 10 as the sport's ultimate standard.
GymnasticsNiki Lauda's Nürburgring Fire
The most remarkable comeback from injury in sporting history — and the moment that defined Lauda's legendary courage.
Formula 1Miracle on Ice — USA Defeat USSR
The most famous upset in Olympic history and a moment of Cold War symbolism that transcended sport.
Ice HockeyDennis Taylor Wins on the Final Black
The most watched moment in snooker history and the greatest finish in any individual sport championship final.
SnookerMaradona's Two Goals Against England
No single player in any team sport has produced such extremes of genius and controversy in one performance.
FootballSugar Ray Leonard Defeats Marvin Hagler
One of boxing's greatest upsets from one of its greatest rivalries — a masterclass in tactical fighting.
BoxingBen Johnson Stripped of 9.79 World Record
The most infamous moment in athletics — which changed the sport's relationship with doping forever.
AthleticsBuster Douglas Knocks Out Mike Tyson
The greatest upset in heavyweight boxing history and the moment that proved no champion is invincible.
BoxingAyrton Senna is Killed at Imola
The darkest day in modern motorsport history — and the catalyst for the safety revolution that has saved countless lives.
Formula 1Tiger Woods Wins Masters at 21
The moment that changed golf forever — and the most dominant individual major performance in the modern era.
GolfMichael Jordan's Last Shot
The most iconic single shot in basketball history — and the perfect ending to the greatest dynasty the sport has seen.
BasketballCathy Freeman Wins the 400m at Sydney
The most politically and emotionally charged individual athletic performance in Olympic history.
AthleticsJonny Wilkinson's World Cup Winning Drop Goal
England's greatest sporting achievement since 1966 and the most pressured kick in rugby history.
Rugby UnionFederer vs Nadal — The Greatest Match
Universally rated the greatest match in tennis history — a contest between two players at the absolute peak of their powers.
TennisMichael Phelps Wins His Eighth Gold in Beijing
The most dominant single-Games performance in Olympic history.
SwimmingUsain Bolt Runs 9.58 Seconds
The most dominant individual sprinting world record in history — set in a manner that suggested it could be improved further.
AthleticsJessica Ennis-Hill's Heptathlon Gold
The defining moment of London 2012 — a performance under pressure that has never been surpassed in British athletics.
AthleticsMo Farah Completes the Double Double
The most celebrated British athletic performance of modern times — and one of sport's great personal journeys.
AthleticsAndy Murray Ends Britain's 77-Year Wait
The most emotionally charged moment in British tennis history — ending a 77-year national obsession.
TennisLeicester City Win the Premier League
The most improbable major league title in the history of professional sport.
FootballSimone Biles Wins Four Gold Medals at Rio
A performance so far beyond her competitors that the sport had to create new difficulty ratings to accommodate her.
GymnasticsSerena Williams Wins 23rd Grand Slam
The most Grand Slam singles titles won in the Open Era, and achieved while carrying a child.
TennisMax Verstappen Wins F1 Title on Final Lap
The most dramatic final-race title decider in F1 history — ending Hamilton's bid for a record eighth championship.
Formula 1