The 5 most inspirational Olympic moments

The 5 most inspiring Olympic moments
The 5 most inspiring Olympic moments

5. Muhammad Ali, Atlanta 1996

The lighting of the Olympic flame is a special moment at every Olympic Games, but Muhammad Ali's is one of the most touching.
It came nearly 40 years after he won gold in boxing. The world held their breath as he held the torch with shaking hands as a result of Parkinson's disease.

It came as a reminder that not even illness can stop the world's greatest athletes.

SEE MORE: Everything you need to know about the Summer Olympics

4. Team Korea, Sydney 2000

At the 2000 opening ceremony, North and South Korea marched under one flag as symbol of peace.

The flag depicted the image of both countries as one.

It was a powerful statement from two nations that have feuded for decades.

3. Abebe Bikila, Rome 1960

Adebe Bikila was placed on the Ethiopian Olympic team after another athlete was injured.

He made all the way to the men's marathon to learn the shoes he was given didn't fit. So he ran barefoot. That day, an unknown athlete and son of a shepherd became a gold medalist.

He won another gold medal in Tokyo, four years later ... with shoes.

2. Kerri Strug, Atlanta 1996

18-year-old American gymnast Kerri Strug injured her ankle in her first vault in 1996.

She tore two ligaments, but overcame the excruciating pain to go for a second vault.

She stuck the landing perfectly before falling to the floor in excruciating pain Because she pushed forward, the U.S. gymnastics team took the gold.

1. Derek Redmond, Barcelona 1992

Derek Redmond was of Britain's biggest track stars in the '80s and '90s.

He was a favorite to win the 400-meter at the '92 Olympics, but his dreams were crushed when he felt his hamstring pop mid-dash. In an inspiring move, he refused a stretcher and hopped to the finish line, while his father pushed past security to be by his son's side.

Redmond may not have won, but he remains inspiration for Olympic athletes to finish what they start.

Click through the gallery below to see photos of U.S. Women's Gymnastics 2016:



More from AOL.com:
These diets show how intense Olympians really are
The most stylish Olympic uniforms from Rio 2016
Muhammad becomes first Muslim American to represent the US Olympic Team wearing a hijab

Advertisement