11 Olympic Legends Who Made History Long Before Rio

As athletes prepare to challenge the sporting world once again at the Olympic Games, it’s time to learn about those who once pioneered Olympic podiums and continue to fight for the champion title. Here is a selection of athletes who have gained fame in various sports and brought invaluable glory to their homeland. But there’s something else interesting about the athletes we’ve chosen; many of them are competing today at the Olympic Games in Rio, but each has already made history as the first of their kind.

Joanne Pavey

Joanne Pavey, a six-time champion in the 500-meter race, is considered the oldest athlete to ever participate in the Olympic Games. At the age of 42, Pavey remains a symbol of Great Britain in athletics and the oldest woman to ever win a gold medal in long-distance running.

Ashley Johnson

Ashley Johnson holds the title of the first African American woman to conquer water polo. At 21, the Miami native is a goalkeeper for the USA water polo team. Previously, women like Johnson did not reach such heights at such a young age, and today Ashley is already competing at the Olympic Games in Rio.

Babe Zaharias

At the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Babe Zaharias won a gold medal in golf, which brought her fame. Over time, she won the British Ladies Amateur Golf Championship and took silver in the high jump. Zaharias will forever remain the first and only woman to participate in the PGA Tour on a regular basis. Additionally, Zaharias achieved heights in basketball.

Nino Salukvadze and Tsotne Machavariani

The world’s first mother-son duo at the Olympic Games is Nino Salukvadze and Tsotne Machavariani. Nino and her 18-year-old son are competing at the Olympic Games in Rio and represent a dynasty of shooters with air pistols.

Bernard Lagat

Bernard Lagat is an American athlete of Kenyan origin known as a two-time Olympic medalist and world champion in athletics. At 41, he is the oldest athlete to conquer Olympic competitions.

Yusra Mardini

The first girl in the world to represent refugees at the Olympic Games. 18-year-old Yusra Mardini, a native of Syria, is the first athlete in the world to compete in the swimming team not under a national flag, but under the flag of the Olympic Refugee Team.

Oksana Chusovitina

Soviet athlete Oksana Chusovitina, at 41, is the oldest gymnast representing Uzbekistan at the Olympic Games. Chusovitina competes with athletes more than half her age, such as Laurie Hernandez.

Lia Neal and Simone Manuel

The first African American duo of swimmers representing the USA team at the Olympic Games in Rio. Lia Neal, 21, and Simone Manuel, 19, are Stanford University students who have made history in swimming as the youngest participants from the USA in their category at the Olympic Games. The athletes will compete for supremacy in the freestyle 100 meters.

Clara Hughes

Clara Hughes is a modern Canadian cyclist and speed skater, holder of two Olympic medals in cycling and four Olympic medals in speed skating. Multiple participations in the Olympic Games have made Clara Hughes the only athlete, not only among women, to win numerous awards in both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.

These athletes have not only made history but continue to inspire future generations with their dedication, perseverance, and groundbreaking achievements. Their stories remind us that the Olympic spirit transcends age, background, and circumstances, uniting the world in the celebration of human potential and excellence.