what's been the greatest olympics and why?

1980 or 1936 because of the political and social implications.

Clearly 1936.

1980 because there were no f'ing yanks there.

1984: Carl Lewis, Mary Lou Retton, Michael Jordan and the college kids winning the basketball gold, tons of US medals in swimming, Greg Lougainis, Valerie Brisco Hooks Joan Benoit in the marathon, the US dominating boxing. The Russian, Cuban, etc. boycott made this America's Games.

ambassador orange wrote:

The Russian, Cuban, etc. boycott made this America's Games.

What a criterion for the greatest Olympics--"the home team won." It doesn't matter whether the competition was diluted, the doping was rampant, or that you can't cite a single thing about the games that you liked other than the results.

Coca-cola made the 96 Atlanta Olympics the best ever.

You must clarify from whose standpoint? Spectator, competitor, official, hotdog salesperson? I've only been to 5, and only two as a competitor, but I liked Melbourne -- great food, mostly drug free, friendly people. Rome was also nice -- great people, but a bit too hot for some events and food not up to what we had in Australia. For American distance running, Tokyo brought a couple exciting moments, but so did Mexico City. Things have gotten too political, too comercialized in recent years, but that's more as an outsider now days

All the Olympics in the '60s...1960, 1964, and 1968...were pretty excellent.

Tokyo 1964 was the best! It was the best for the United States men. The US had at least one competitor in the top 6 in every mens' running event.

The US won both relays and both hurdle races. The performances of Hayes and Bikila were awesome.

Some of my Canadian friends and teammates were in that Olympics too. I have seen 6 Olympics and 1964 was the greatest. Olympics.

jtupper wrote:

I've only been to 5, and only two as a competitor...

only 5? i feel bad for you.

Munich 1972

1980 Lake Placid...

Do You Believe in Miracles?

They're all great. Holding them every 4 years was a brilliant idea.

Not long after I started running (1967) I read books about the Olympic Games. I started with the ancient Greek Games, then 1896. Kept reading through 1968. I believe that seeing the best track meet every 4 years in print and pictures developed my everlasting love of the sport.

right on PuckHead

Talking Track & Field only, 2 words suffice:

MEXICO CITY

1980 in Lake Placid. Why? Because I was 8 years old and it was the coolest f***ing thing I'd ever seen.

EZ answer: 2008...the best is always yet to come!!!!!!!!!!!

PuckHead wrote:

1980 Lake Placid...

Do You Believe in Miracles?

I hate to be a conpiracy monger, but I'm starting to wonder if the Soviets weren't bribed into throwing that game.