Paris Olympics 2024: These are the biggest upsets in Olympics history
The Olympics is the grandest stage for the best athletes in the world to showcase their talent and prove themselves to be the best among the best. But throughout the years, the Olympics has also seen its fair share of upsets, where the athlete or team that was expected to win was outperformed by someone else because it was their lucky day. Here are some of the biggest upset victories in Olympic history.
Rulon Gardner Beats Aleksandr Karelin
When Rulon Gardner was included in the US Greco-Roman wrestling team for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, not many had even heard of him, let alone thought he would win a medal. That is because the world was convinced that Russian legend Aleksandr Karelin would win, just like he had done in the three previous Olympic games. Karelin was so dominant that he had a 13-year undefeated streak and won gold in 1988, 1992, and 1996. In the six years before the finals, Karelin's opponents had failed to score even a single point against him, let alone defeat the man known as the "Russian Bear."?
Gardner managed to reach the final, and Karelin was waiting for him. But the unthinkable happened, and Gardner defeated Karelin by one point to take home the gold and also end the Russian legend's undefeated streak.
Nigeria Beats Argentina in Football
The 1996 Atlanta Olympics saw one of the biggest upsets in Olympic football history when Nigeria outplayed Argentina to win the gold. Nigeria, a largely unheard-of team at that point, was placed in Group C, which consisted of Brazil, Japan, and Hungary. The Super Eagles started with a win over Hungary in their first match and kept on getting better as the tournament progressed.?
They also defeated Mexico and Brazil in the quarterfinals and semifinals on their way to the final clash with Argentina. Nigeria scored the biggest win in their history when they defeated Argentina 3-2 in the finals.
Argentina Beats US in Basketball
The US has been the traditional powerhouse when it comes to basketball. But this was not to be the case in the 2004 Athens Olympics. In the semifinals, the US lost 81-89 to Argentina and finished in the third spot.
Billy Mills Wins Gold in 10,000 Meters
More than half a century later, Billy Mills winning the gold in the 10,000 meters at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964 is still regarded as one of the biggest upsets in the games' history. Mills was up against Australian Ron Clarke, who was the world record holder, defending champion Pyotr Bolotnikov of the Soviet Union, Murray Halberg of New Zealand, and fellow American Gerry Lindgren.?
Mills, who didn¡¯t own a new pair of shoes until the night before the race, ran the race of his life and finished in 28:24.4, almost 50 seconds faster than his previous best. He also became the first American and to date the only one from his country to win gold in the 10,000 meters.
Kostas Kenteris Wins Gold in 200m
When Kostas Kenteris from Greece entered the 200 meters sprint event in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, he did not have much going for him. Kenteris had recently switched from the 400m discipline to 200m.?
But on the 28th of September 2000, Kenteris shocked the world by winning gold, with a time of 20.09 seconds.
For more news and current affairs?from around the world, please visit?Indiatimes News.
