Seven Memorable Olympic Moments

The 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China, are set to open in just over two weeks, and as with each installment that comes just every four years, there are bound to be moments that will be remembered long past the closing ceremonies.

Before a new athlete or country carve out their names in the history books, here's a look back at some of the moments that have stood the test of time and become the most remembered moments of past Summer Olympics Games.

Jesse Owens -- 1936

In 1936, the world's eyes were on Hitler and Nazi Germany, who had the stage set with the Berlin Olympics to show the world his nation's reach and power. But Jesse Owens, a 22-year-old African-American track and field phenom, took the spotlight that summer, winning four gold medals and defiantly representing the U.S. in the face of Hitler and his Nazi regime.

	Jesse Owens

Perhaps his most memorable gold was his second, which he won after battling German long jumper Luz Long. When Owens had struggled in the qualifying round, Long advised him to alter his jumping point. Owens did, and qualified, eventually beating Long in the finals. After Owens won, Long was the first to congratulate him, in front of Hitler and a stadium full of black and red swastikas.

Tommy Smith and John Carlos -- 1968

Few images from Olympics past are as recognizable as the one from Mexico City of Smith and Carlos on the medal stand, each wearing one black glove with their fists raised and heads bowed. In an Olympics that was supposed to be free of politics, the two American runners instead held one of the most memorable and controversial political protests in the history of sport.

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