Sports have the uncanny ability to bottle up the human experience and turn it into a cultural touchstone. Whether it’s an epic comeback, a tragic loss or a heartwarming reunion, the defining moments in athletics are those that resonate for decades to come.
This summer, Olympic athletes have captivated the world with their performances and off-the-field antics. From “pommel horse guy” earning a bronze medal and a spot on “Dancing with the Stars” to Ilona Maher rumbling over Aussies and Steph Curry knocking out France, there have been many head-scratching, viral moments. But, not all Olympics-related viral content ends up grabbing millions of eyeballs.
The most viral sports moments are ones that capture the heart, make us laugh and ultimately reflect our own humanity. These are the moments that your grandkids will talk about in 25 years, the ones that define a generation and change the way we see the world.
While some viral sports moments can be overshadowed by controversy, a bad one can still have massive ramifications for a league, team or player. No athlete wants to have a moment that they will regret down the road, especially when it has the potential to derail their career.
In order to determine which viral sports moments are truly the best, The Ringer used a set of criteria that include:
