Iconic Pics of Legendary Athletes
Iconic Photo that became an Iconic Poster: The legendary boxer Muhammad Ali vs Sonny Liston, capturing the champion in action after first round knockout of Sonny at St Dominic's Arena, Lewiston, ME at the 1965 World Heavyweight Title. Credit: Alamy.
Watching sports can mean a lot of things for different people. The love of competition, the sense of camaraderie cheering on a shared beloved team, or a passion for the craft itself and the skill and determination involved in honing the human body to do unimaginable and amazing things.
Still, even for those of us that don't follow sports for any of those reasons, we still share in the humble admiration of the greats. We recognize the moments that stand out in history, the feats that cause humanity to collectively gasp in awe, the times where passion and energy and emotion and defiance scream out to say "Look at this! Look at what we can do!"
These iconic images resonate because they encapsulate more than just athletic excellence—they immortalize powerful narratives that reflect cultural identity, historical triumphs, and personal struggles. Each photograph serves as a snapshot of human potential, a vivid reminder of perseverance, rebellion and inspiration. Whether it's Terry Fox redefining courage, Abebe Bikila shattering barriers barefoot, or Saeed Owairan electrifying a nation on the world stage, these visuals transcend borders and eras, etching themselves deeply into our collective memory.
We share here just a handful of these moments – as there are far too many – captured for all of time: iconic images of iconic people doing what they do best.
Photo of true courage and resilience: Terry Fox runs during his "Marathon of Hope" in 1981, inspiring all of Canada and then the globe. Credit: The Canadian Press/Alamy Live News.
The legendary Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God,’ that continues to this day to be debated.’ Contributor: Daniel Motz / Alamy Stock Photo.
Winning Barefoot: The legendary Abebe Bikila at the 1960s Olympics. Rome (09 -10 - 1960). Rome Olympics. Abebe, a member of the Imperial Guard of the Emperor of Ethiopia, wins the Olympic marathon running barefoot. Credit: Album / Archivo ABC.
Saudi Wonder Goal: Footballer Saeed Al-Owairan of Saudi Arabia celebrates during Saudi Arabia’s 1-0 victory over Belgium in their first FIFA World Cup in 1994 match at RFK Stadium, Washington DC. Credit: Billy Stickland/ALLSPORT.
What are some of the iconic sports images you remember? Share your memories with us here: ithraeyat@ithra.com
