The opening ceremonies of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo would be taking place right now if not for the coronavirus, which has pushed everything back a year. If you’re missing the rush of cheering for your favorite runners on the world stage, relive some of the most thrilling moments of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games below. Olympic dreams may be on hold for now, but they won’t be forever—and the women (and men) of Team USA will be ready when that time comes.
Allyson Felix passes the baton to English Gardner during the Women’s 4 x 100 meter Relay at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
Jenny Simpson reacts after winning the bronze medal in the Women’s 1500m Final on Day 11 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. She became the first American to medal in that event in the Olympics.
Emma Coburn celebrates placing third in the Women’s 3000m Steeplechase final on Day 10 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Allyson Felix, English Gardner, Tianna Bartoletta and Tori Bowie of the United States celebrate winning gold in the Women’s 4 x 100m Relay Final on Day 14 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Matt Centrowitz reacts after winning gold in the Men’s 1500 meter Final on Day 15 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. He was the first American to win gold in the event since 1908.
Amy Cragg, Shalane Flanagan, and Desiree Linden of the United States compete during the Women’s Marathon on Day 9 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. It’s hard to celebrate a race that was so tainted by doping, but it still was historic: For the first time ever, all three American women placed in the top 10.
We saw what the Olympic spirit is all about New Zealand’s Nikki Hamblin (left) helped up Abbey D’Agostino during the Women’s 5000m Round 1 – Heat 2 on Day 11 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. D’Agostino tore her anterior cruciate knee ligament in the incident but both runners insisted on completing their race.
His last Olympic race. Usain Bolt of Jamaica gave us a few last epic memories as he competes on his way to winning the Men’s 4 x 100m Relay Final on Day 14 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Gwen Jorgensen of the United States shows her emotions as she wins gold during the Women’s Triathlon on Day 15 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Jorgensen’s dominance on the run helped her fend off reigning Olympic champion Nicola Spirig of Switzerland to become the first American ever to win gold in triathlon.
It’s a sweep! Bronze medalist Kristi Castlin, gold medalist Brianna Rollins, and silver medalist Nia Ali celebrate with American flags after taking the top three spots in the Women’s 100m Hurdles Final on Day 12 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
USA’s Allyson Felix celebrates winning the Women’s 4x400m Relay Final at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, becoming the only female track and field athlete to ever win six Olympic gold medals.
Thank you, Rio! Natasha Hastings, Phyllis Francis, Allyson Felix and Courtney Okolo react after winning gold in the Women’s 4 x 400 meter Relay on Day 15 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.