Olympic Moments That Will Always Bring the Feels

With the Summer Olympics occurring in Brazil right now, what better way to take in current athletes making history than to reminisce in some of the all-time best moments from past Olympics?

While there are so many different times where sports fans probably found themselves wiping away tears from their faces, these are the ones that we all can't help but watch time and time again, as they're the best of the bunch that bring the most feels.

Hugh McCutcheon Overcomes Tragedy to Capture Gold

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Arguably the most successful head volleyball coach in United States history, when Hugh McCutcheon led the red, white and blue to its first men's volleyball gold medal in 20 years at the 2008 Beijing Games, he did so with a heavy heart that most of us could never even imagine dealing with.

That's because McCutcheon's father-in-law, Todd Bachman, was shamelessly murdered by a stranger at a popular Beijing tourist attraction, which, naturally, was in his mind throughout his team's remarkable run.

While his USA team didn't lose a single match to the higher-rated teams it went through to finish first, it's more impressive that McCutcheon did so with so much turmoil going on in his personal life.

Maarten van der Weijden Overcomes Cancer to Win Gold

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A native of the Netherlands who successfully defeated leukemia in 2001, Maarten van der Weijden found himself battling something differently in 2008, as he fought his way back to the Olympics to compete in the men’s 10-kilometer marathon swimming.

And because we all love a good comeback story, how about this one—Van der Weijden didn't just qualify for the Games, he left his mark by taking home the gold medal in his event for the only Olympic medal of his career.

Rulon Gardner Shocks the Wrestling World

It's difficult to watch the recap of former U.S. wrestler Rulon Gardner's gold-medal victory at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and not get more than a little bit choked up.

Matched against Russian Aleksandr Karelin—who was in the middle of a 13-year undefeated streak—the underdog Gardner shocked the world by stealing the gold medal from Karelin, which was his first major title at any competition.

There may be haters of the Olympics, but it's stories like Gardner's that remind sports fans what's so beautiful about the event every four years.

Oscar De La Hoya Gives His Mother Her Final, Dying Wish

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Oscar De La Hoya is remembered for being one of the best boxers of his generation and an icon for all the success he has had following his career, but it was the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona that might be a favorite memory of The Golden Boy.

Following amateur success in 1990 with victories at the U.S. National Championships and the Goodwill Games, De La Hoya's mother died that same year after a bout with breast cancer—with her lasting wish being her son winning an Olympic gold one day.

That's exactly what Oscar did in 1992, defeating German Marco Rudolph to win gold and, ultimately, earning him his nickname.

Eric Moussambani Represents His Country Amazingly

The story of swimmer Eric Moussambani is one of the most incredible from any Olympics in history, as he showed heart, determination and pride to do something that had never been done by any other person from his native Equatorial Guinea.

Moussambani, who came to the 2000 Sydney Games never having seen an Olympic-sized pool, was forced into action after both of the other competitors in his heat were disqualified for false starts.

Taking the responsibility that only the Olympics can provide, Moussambani—better known as Eric the Eel these days—took part in the 100-meter freestyle, completing his heat in a miserable one minute, 52.72 seconds.

It wasn't about the time, though, as Moussambani showed the true spirit of being an Olympian—which forever changed his life.

Muhammad Ali Lights the Torch

Arguably the greatest and most inspirational athlete in history, former boxing champion Muhammad Ali had the task of lighting the Olympic torch that would burn for the entire 1996 Atlanta Games.

Noticeably shaking due to Parkinson's disease, The Champ lit the flame to a crowd of cheers and applause.

It may not have seemed like much on the surface, but the then-54-year-old defined what it was to be the ultimate champion, and it's remembered for being emotionally charged.

Jason Lezak Helps Keep Michael Phelps' Gold-Medal Dream Alive

Anytime history's at stake, it always adds a little bit more emotion and nerves, doesn't it?

That's why Michael Phelps' gold-medal win in the 4x100-meter relay at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing makes this list, because it helped lead to him leaving the Olympics with more gold medals (eight) than any athlete before or since.

On the shoulders of teammate Jason Lezak—the anchor of the men's relay team—Phelps and his two other teammates see Lezak come from behind to beat France and keep Phelps' chase for eight alive—which he eventually accomplished.

John Stephen Akhwari Finishes for His Country

Now this, right here, is what it means to be an Olympian and show pride that some aren't capable of—because this is a truly remarkable story.

Occurring during the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, Tanzania's John Stephen Akhwari was one of just 57 of the 75 marathon competitors to actually complete the race, as the thin air held racers hostage and caused unforeseen dropouts mid-race.

After falling and dislocating his knee early in the 26.2-mile race, Akhwari bandaged himself up and fought through mental and physical pain, entering the stadium to few spectators and more than an hour after the result had been decided, determined to finish the race no matter the circumstances.

Asked following the heroic feat why he pressed on, the Olympian gave a remarkable reply, saying, "My country did not send me 5,000 miles to start the race; they sent me 5,000 miles to finish it."

Kerri Strug Sticks Her Landing for American Gold

Even 20 years later, this one still gets me choked up, as it became one of the most incredible moments in U.S. sports history.

Aiming to give Team USA its first-ever team gold medal in the gymnastics event, things looked bleak when Kerri Strug came up hobbling before her final vault attempt, which the squad needed in order to claim first place.

Digging deep and refusing to quit, Strug came up huge, nailing the landing and posing in time for the judges to see she completed her trick—giving the red, white and blue its desired gold.

Derek Redmond Crosses the Finish Line with Some Help from His Dad

There are a lot of tear-jerking moments here, but nothing might ever beat the time Britain runner Derek Redmond's dad came to his rescue during the 400-meter race at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.

Entering the competition as one of the favorites to take home gold, Redmond came up lame with an injury that caused him to limp his way toward the finish line.

To everyone's surprise, Redmond's dad, Jim, raced through security to aid his son as he made his way around the track, causing a tearful scene like no one had ever seen in Olympic history.