The Olympic Games are where legends are made—but not always the ones you expect. While household names often dominate headlines, it’s the underdogs—the overlooked, underestimated, and nearly forgotten—who remind us why we watch. There’s something electric about an athlete rising from obscurity to seize glory on the world’s biggest stage.

Here are five unforgettable Olympic underdog stories that stunned the world and captured our hearts.

1. Rulon Gardner Beats the Unbeatable (Sydney 2000)

Event: Greco-Roman Wrestling, 130kg

In the realm of wrestling, Aleksandr Karelin was a force of nature. The Russian had not lost a match in 13 years, had won three Olympic gold medals, and hadn’t given up a single point in six years. His nickname? The Experiment—because his strength and dominance seemed practically engineered.

Enter Rulon Gardner, a dairy farmer’s son from Afton, Wyoming, who had never won a major international medal. In the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Gardner didn’t just face Karelin in the final—he beat him.

Gardner won 1-0 in one of the most jaw-dropping upsets in Olympic history.

The match became an instant legend. Gardner didn’t score with flair—he scored with grit, holding Karelin scoreless for the first time ever. The crowd erupted. The world gasped. And the man from Wyoming smiled humbly, saying, “Never count out the little guy.”

2. Eric “The Eel” Moussambani Swims Alone (Sydney 2000)

Event: 100m Freestyle

Eric Moussambani of Equatorial Guinea had never seen a 50-meter Olympic-sized pool until he arrived in Sydney. With just eight months of training and no formal coach, he entered the 100m freestyle thanks to a wildcard program designed to encourage global participation.

In his heat, the other two swimmers were disqualified for false starts—leaving Eric to swim alone. The crowd watched in stunned silence as he splashed awkwardly down the lane. His arms flailed. His breathing was erratic. His time—1:52.72—was nearly a full minute slower than the world record.

But none of that mattered.

The crowd rose to its feet and cheered him like a gold medalist.

Eric didn’t win, but he inspired millions, showing that the Olympic spirit isn’t about winning—it’s about daring to try.

3. The Jamaican Bobsled Team Brings the Heat (Calgary 1988)

Event: 4-Man Bobsled

It sounds like a Disney movie—and it eventually became one. But in 1988, when Jamaica announced it was sending a bobsled team to the Winter Olympics in Calgary, the world thought it was a joke.

Jamaica had no snow, no tradition of winter sports, and no bobsled track. Yet four sprinters from the island, led by Dudley Stokes, trained tirelessly, often practicing in a makeshift sled on wheels.

Their debut didn’t go smoothly. They crashed during one of their runs, but their courage and unity—getting out and pushing their sled across the finish line—earned them a standing ovation.

They didn’t win a medal, but they won the world over. Their story became the basis for the 1993 film Cool Runnings, a fitting tribute to their heart and humor.

4. Billy Mills Sprints Into History (Tokyo 1964)

Event: 10,000m Run

Billy Mills was a virtual unknown heading into the 1964 Olympics. A member of the Oglala Lakota Sioux tribe and former U.S. Marine, Mills grew up on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, facing poverty, racism, and self-doubt.

In Tokyo, Mills faced world-record holder Ron Clarke of Australia. No American had ever won Olympic gold in the 10,000m. But on the final lap, Mills surged from third to first in a mad sprint, winning in 28:24.4, an Olympic record at the time.

The announcer screamed, “Look at Mills! Look at Mills!” as he surged past the leaders. It was one of the most thrilling finishes in Olympic history.

Today, Mills is not just an Olympic champion—he’s a symbol of hope for Native youth across America.

5.

Wins Gold by Staying on His Feet (Salt Lake City 2002)

Event: Short Track Speed Skating, 1000m

In what might be the most bizarre and brilliant gold medal win ever, Australia’s Steven Bradbury became a household name—not for blazing speed, but for his ability to stay upright.

Bradbury was a longshot in Salt Lake City. He had already suffered a neck injury and a punctured thigh in past races. Most assumed he’d bow out early.

Instead, in the final lap of the 1000m final, the four skaters in front of him—all favorites—collided and crashed.

Bradbury, far behind, cruised across the finish line alone, arms raised in disbelief.

It was Australia’s first-ever Winter Olympic gold medal, and Bradbury’s name became a national verb: “to do a Bradbury” now means winning in the most unexpected way possible.

Why We Love the Underdog

What is it about these stories that make us cheer louder, cry harder, and feel more connected? Maybe it’s because we see ourselves in the underdogs—not the perfectly polished favorites, but the people who grind, stumble, and still show up. They remind us that the Olympic Games are not just about excellence—but about possibility.

As Rulon Gardner said after his miracle match:

So next time the Games roll around, don’t just watch the stars. Keep an eye on the longshots, the dark horses, the no-names. You never know who might shock the world—again.

Which Olympic underdog is your favorite? Let us know in the comments or share your story of unexpected triumph. Because the Olympics aren't just about gold—they’re about the courage to try.

All links in this article courtesy of the International Olympic Committee.