5 Greatest Olympic Cinderella Stories
I don’t know about you, but my heart still races whenever I see a podium finish no one saw coming! There is something purely magical about the Olympics—the way a “nobody” can become a legend in the span of a few seconds. Whether it’s a team of college kids taking down a superpower or a lone runner coming out of nowhere, the Games are the ultimate stage for the underdog.
We’re revisiting the moments that made us scream at our TVs, including a massive shocker from the recent 2024 Summer Games in Paris. From ice rinks to the cinder track, here are the five greatest Olympic Cinderella stories you need to know.
1. The “Miracle on Ice” (1980)
You can’t talk about underdogs without starting here. In 1980, a scrappy group of American college kids faced off against the Soviet Union’s “Big Red Machine”—a team that had won four straight gold medals. The U.S. victory was so improbable that it was later named the greatest sporting moment of the 20th century. It wasn’t just a win; it was a Cold War-era fairy tale.
2. Steven Bradbury’s “Last Man Standing” (2002)
Australian speed skater Steven Bradbury knew he wasn’t the fastest in the 1000m final. His strategy? Stay back and stay upright. In a move that became a global meme, every other skater in the lead pack crashed on the final turn, leaving Bradbury to coast across the finish line for a gold medal. It’s the ultimate lesson in the power of persistence (and staying on your feet).
3. Kristen Faulkner’s Last-Minute Gold (Paris 2024)
Team USA’s Kristen Faulkner wasn’t even supposed to compete in the road race! She only got a spot after another athlete dropped out to focus on a different event. Not only did she compete, but she also timed a daring solo attack to leave the world’s best cyclists in the dust. From “alternate” to Olympic champion in just a few days—talk about a Cinderella story for the modern age.
4. Rulon Gardner vs. The “Russian Bear” (2000)
Russian Aleksandr Karelin hadn’t lost a wrestling match in 13 years. He hadn’t even given up a point in six. Then came Team USA’s Rulon Gardner, a humble dairy farmer from Wyoming. In a massive upset of strength and will, Gardner won 1-0, ending the most dominant streak in wrestling history and proving that even giants can be toppled.
5. Billy Mills and the 10,000m Shock (1964)
Imagine being an unknown runner from South Dakota and beating the world record holder on the biggest stage on earth. In Tokyo 1964, Team USA’s Billy Mills stayed on the heels of the favorites until the final stretch, where he launched a sprint that stunned the announcers. He remains the only American to ever win gold in this event, a true “out of nowhere” victory.
Do these stories make you want to lace up your sneakers and go for gold?
