Olympics Portfolio

Dramatic photos from the history of the Games

Above: Jessica Ennis: London, 2012. Photo: David Burnett.

BY: PROVOKR Staff

Deng Linlin Beijing, 2008 Photo: Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images
Deng Linlin: Beijing, 2008. Photo: Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images.

 

From “Olympia” Berlin, 1936 Photo: Leni Riefenstahl/Public Domain
From Olympia: Berlin, 1936. Photo: Leni Riefenstahl.

 

Michael Johnson and his famous, gold Nike running shoes Atlanta, 1996 Photo: Don Emmert/Getty Images
Michael Johnson and his famous gold Nike running shoes: Atlanta, 1996. Photo: Don Emmert/Getty Images.

 

Michael Phelps London, 2012 Photo: Michael Dalder/Reuters
Michael Phelps: London, 2012. Photo: Michael Dalder/Reuters.

 

Nigerian Relay Team Barcelona, 1992 Photo: Ken Geiger
Nigerian Relay Team: Barcelona, 1992. Photo: Ken Geiger.

 

Cassius Clay (before he changed his name to Muhammad Ali) Rome, 1960 Photo: Public Domain
Cassius Clay (before he changed his name to Muhammad Ali): Rome, 1960.

 

Nicholas Robinson Baker London, 2012 Photo: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images
Nicholas Robinson Baker: London, 2012. Photo: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images.

 

Jesse Owens Berlin, 1936 Photo: Public Domain
Jesse Owens: Berlin, 1936.

 

Xeuchen Huang and Ou Liu London, 2012 Photo: Getty Images
Xeuchen Huang and Ou Liu: London, 2012. Photo: Getty Images.