While the Olympic Games aren’t exactly famous for their potential to warm hearts, it doesn’t mean that there haven’t been plenty on and off the fields, courts, pieces of apparatus, or other competition areas. Here are the top 12 of the Summer Games so far.
12. Katie Ledecky meets Michael Phelps
This didn’t technically happen during the Olympic Games, which is why it takes the bottom spot on our list. Either way, seeing a young Katie Ledecky – who’s quickly becoming a legend due to her incredible speed – meet Olympic legend Michael Phelps is incredible!
11. Oscar Figueroa wins gold, then quits weightlifting.
On Monday, August 8th, Oscar Figueroa won the first medal for Columbia by dominating the Men’s 62kg Jerk with a total of 318kg. After he realized he had won, he promptly sank to the ground in tears and removed his shoes, signifying his retirement. “I’m full of emotions. I was carrying the weight of all of Colombia,” said Figueroa.
10. The Puerto Rican Women’s Volleyball Team qualifies for the first time.
This year, for the first time ever, Puerto Rico will have a team competing in women’s volleyball.
9. Rami Anis, a Syrian refugee, scores his personal best.
In the Men’s 100m Freestyle, Rami Anis was able to pull off a total of 52.25 seconds – faster than he’d ever gone before. “I am proud that I am participating today even though I am participating as a refugee Olympic athlete,” said Anis, “and I do hope that by Tokyo 2020 there will be no refugees.”
8. Every medal won for Canada has been won by a woman.
So far, Canada has medaled in three events: swimming (three bronze medals and one silver), diving (bronze medal), and rugby sevens (bronze medal). The catch? Every one of those six medals has been won by a female member of the Canadian Olympic team. Girl power!
7. Ibtihaj Muhammad becomes the first American Olympian to compete in a hijab.
To top it all off? She won right out the gate!
6. Laurie Hernandez whispers “I got this” before her balance beam routine.
The world has fallen in love with Laurie, and her adorable smile. Even more adorable? A quiet personal affirmation before she absolutely killed it on the balance beam!
5. Fu Yuanhui finds out she’s won a bronze medal.
In a moment that captured the internet’s heart, Chinese swimmer Fu Yuanhui wasn’t aware she had medaled until an interviewer told her. “What?!” Fu replied, “I came in third? I didn’t know!” She was excited and proud of herself for her incredible performance.
4. Kristin Armstrong wins a third gold medal at 42.
Five seconds ahead of second place, US Cyclist Kristin Armstrong won her third career gold medal the day before she turned 43, collapsing to the ground and embracing her five-year-old son after the race.
3. Team Refugee is met with thunderous applause during the Parade of Nations.
Entering the arena during Friday’s opening ceremony as the Refugee Olympic Team, ten athletes from various war-torn countries have the opportunity to compete in the Olympic Games this year. When the cameras caught sight of them, the crowd went wild and the athletes’ faces lit up.
2. North and South Korean Gymnasts take a selfie together.
Hong Un-jong (DPRK) and Lee Eun-ju (RoK) embraced the Olympic spirit as they took a lighthearted selfie together. Although the two countries are technically still at war, there was nothing but friendship between these two athletes during the gymnastics qualifiers on Monday.
And last, but not least:
1. Marjorie Enya proposes to girlfriend Isadora Cerullo.
Marjorie Enya, a volunteer at the rugby pitch, proposed to her girlfriend of two years and Brazilian rugby player Isadora Cerullo on Monday, August 8th. Cerullo tearfully accepted, and Enya tied a yellow ribbon around her finger in lieu of a ring.
There are still many events left to go in the Rio Olympic Summer Games, and we can all hope that more moments of personal triumph and international cooperation are to come!