The 2026 Winter Olympics are here! The XXV Winter Olympic Games, also known as Milano Cortina 2026, is scheduled to take place from February 6—22, 2026, at sites across Lombardy and Northeast Italy.
The thrill of another Olympic season has us reflecting on the games of Olympic past, so we rounded up 33 of the most powerful photos from past Olympic Games.
1.
A Tug-of-War contest at the 1900 Olympics in Paris, France:
2.
The 60m sprint at the 1900 Olympic Games in Paris, France:
3.
The start of the Men’s 100m Freestyle in the 1904 Olympics in St. Louis, Missouri:
4.
Female gymnasts on wooden balance beams at the 1908 Olympics in London, England:
5.
A gymnast performing a pommel jump at the 1908 Olympics:
6.
Female archers at the 1908 Olympic Games in London, England:
7.
The building of the 1912 Olympic stadium in Stockholm, Sweden:
8.
The USA Olympic team en route to the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium:
9.
Speed skating at the first Winter Olympics in 1924 held in Chamonix, France:
10.
Betty Robinson, the first winner of the Women’s 100m sprint at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam, Netherlands:
11.
A Field hockey match at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam, Netherlands:
13.
German dictator Adolf Hitler at the 1936 Berlin Olympics:
14.
Torchbearer at the opening ceremony of the 1936 Berlin Olympics with Germany military present:
15.
Jessie Owens wins his first of four gold metals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics during the Men’s 100m sprint:
16.
Jesse Owens returning home from the 1936 Berlin Olympics after winning four gold medals:
17.
Fanny Blankers-Koen winning the 200-meter event, securing her third medal at the 1948 Olympics in Wembley, London:
18.
The torch being lit at the opening ceremony of the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia:
19.
Otis Davis winning the Men’s 400m event at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, Italy:
20.
Wilma Rudolph sets a new world record in the Women’s 100m event at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, Italy:
21.
Two Soviet teammates celebrate with a kiss after winning gold and silver medals in the Men’s High Jump event at the 1960s Olympics:
22.
Japan wins gold at Judo during the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan:
23.
George Foreman celebrating his gold medal win at the boxing finals during the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, Mexico:
24.
At age 14, Nadia Comaneci receives a perfect score for her balance beam routine, winning her first gold medal during the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, Canada:
25.
USA defeats Finland to win the gold during the Men’s Ice Hockey finals at the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, New York:
26.
The USA “Dream Team” consisting of all-stars like Michael B. Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and more win gold during the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona Spain:
27.
After helping team USA secure gold in the Women’s Gymnastics Team All-Around while injured, Kerri Strug is carried off from the awards ceremony by her coach during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia:
28.
Michael Phelps wins his first gold medal ever during the Men’s 400m event at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece:
29.
Team Canada wins gold in the Women’s Ice Hockey Finals in the 2006 Olympics in Turin, Italy:
30.
Usain Bolt poses next to his new world record set in the Men’s 100m Final at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China:
31.
The Women’s USA team wins gold in the 4 x 400m Relay Final at the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan:
32.
Sydney McLaughlin sets new world record in the Women’s 400m Hurdle Finals at the 2024 Olympics in Paris France:
33.
And, last but certainly not least, swimmer Katie Ledecky becomes the most decorated U.S. female Olympian in history at the 2024 Olympics with a total of 14 gold medal wins over her career:
Did we miss any moments that you think should have been included? Let us know in the comments below.