The Countdown Begins

One week out from the greatest sporting event on earth, it is time to get into the Olympic spirit. Next Friday the 2008 Olympics will kick off with the opening ceremony in Beijing, and to whet the appetite here are the 5 greatest Olympic moments I have seen in my lifetime. Given that I was only 3 for Seoul, these moments come from Barcelona (1992) onwards.

5.Athens 2004 - Hicham el Guerrouj wins 1500m (Track) - In about a decade this man had lost two races in the 1500m. The Atlanta and Sydney Olympics. Athens was his last chance to silence the doubters. After leading for the final lap he was overtaken with 50 metres to go and again all hope seemed loss. Digging into his reserves el Guerrouj fought back to grab the gold on the line and end a lifetime of heartbreak. He later added the 5000m gold to his collection - a double not achieved for some 50 years.
4.Atlanta 1996/Sydney 2000 - Michael Johnson wins Mens 400m (Track) - With the physique of a god, Michael Johnson wins back-to-back 400m gold medals almost untouched. In Atlanta he won the 200m to boot. We may never see a man so dominant in his individual event again.
3.Sydney 2000 - Australian wins Mens 4x100m Freestyle Relay - After being informed they will be smashed like guitars by their American rivals, Australia trails only barely after the third leg of the Mens 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay. Ian Thorpe then produces a final leg for the ages, to mow down 100m world record holder and US loudmouth Gary Hall Jr in the dying moments to send the local crowd into pandemonium.
2.Atlanta 1996 - Kieren Perkins wins 1500m Freestyle - Too old, to slow, and overlooked in lane 8, Kieren Perkins produced arguably Australia's greatest ever Olympic performance to storm to victory and recorded back-to-back victories in swimming's blue ribbon event.
1. Atlanta 1996 - Muhammad Ali lights the Olympic Cauldron - not even a sporting moment. No gold medal awarded. But to see one of the greatest athletes of all time, stricken by Parkinson's disease, light the Olympic Cauldron was arguably one of the best and most emotional moments of the 20th century (sport or not!).

Let the games begin!