The Olympic Games have provided Canada with some of the most jaw-dropping sports moments, including last-minute victories and record-smashing feats. Over and over again, Canadian athletes have been there when it matters the most. On ice, on track, or on a field, these moments have shaped the love for sports in the country. Get prepared as we take a look at the top five most amazing moments in Canadian Olympic history.
1. Sidney Crosby’s “Golden Goal” – Vancouver 2010
The whole nation of Canada came together when Sidney Crosby scored the overtime goal to win the gold medal for Canada in hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics. He scored the goal in the final against the U.S. With 7:40 left in the overtime period, Sidney received a pass from Jarome Iginla and shot the puck into the U.S. goal. The U.S. goalie, Ryan Miller, was helpless to stop the shot.
Sid’s overtime goal was supported by 16 million Canadians who left their homes to watch the event live. This shattered records and made it the highest-rated television event in Canada. Canada won its record gold medal and made it 14 in total during these games. Canada also broke its own record for the most gold medals for a host country during the Winter Olympics. The unforgettable goal was commemorated in the form of statues, highlight reels, and the most precious memories of the people.
And before we look at the next point, we would like to invite you to experience your own unforgettable victories. Try playing Plinko Canada, a game loved by millions with a ball, nails, and holes with different coefficients. Just imagine. You watch the ball fall, hit the nails, and bounce to the right and to the left. And then, bam, it falls into the hole with the highest coefficient. This excitement is unforgettable, and we invite you to experience it today.
2. Donovan Bailey’s 100m Gold – Atlanta 1996
In 1996, Canada got a hero in Donovan Bailey. Bailey blasted out of the blocks in the 100m final, winning gold in 9.84 seconds. He became the fastest man on earth and the first Canadian to win the Olympic 100m title clean. Only a few days later, Bailey anchored Canada’s 4x100m relay team and out-sprinted the American team, winning gold yet again.
Bailey’s performances during the Olympics are considered some of the greatest sprinting achievements in history. His victory celebrations have also gone down in history. Having triumphed, Bailey raised his arms in celebration. Even today, he is remembered as one of the best sprinters in Canada.
3. Women’s Ice Hockey Double Overtime Thriller – Sochi 2014
With only 3:26 remaining in the third period, Canada was losing to the U.S. 2-0 in the gold medal match of the Olympic final for women’s hockey. What came next is perhaps one of the greatest comebacks in sports history. After Brianne Jenner scored a goal, it was down to just one goal. And with only 54 seconds left in the match, Marie-Philip Poulin scored to level the score at 2-2.
Then, on the power play during overtime, Poulin scored yet another goal and secured Canada’s victory at 3-2. The Americans had already begun to celebrate, only to be bewildered when Canada performed another last-minute miracle. It secured Canada its fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal in women’s hockey. And for Poulin, she earned the title of “Captain Clutch” yet again. This moment will hardly ever be forgotten—just like the rising adrenaline fans now feel through online betting UFC, where real-time action and high stakes bring the thrill of combat sports straight into your hands.
4. Penny Oleksiak’s Record-Breaking Gold – Rio 2016
At the age of 16 in 2016, Penny Oleksiak competed in the Olympics and captured the world’s attention by winning four medals, with a stunning gold medal victory in the 100m freestyle. In a race that set an Olympic record, both Oleksiak and America’s Simone Manuel ended the race at 52.70 seconds. Oleksiak became the youngest Canadian Olympic champion, as well as the first Canadian swimmer to win four medals in a single Olympics.
She also won a silver medal in the 100m butterfly and bronze medals in two relay events. Her stunning achievements helped breathe new life into Canadian swimming. By 2021, Oleksiak became the most decorated Olympic athlete in Canadian history, with a total of seven medals.
5. Alexandre Bilodeau’s Historic Gold – Vancouver 2010
Before 2010, Canada had never earned an Olympic gold medal on home turf. Everything changed when freestyle skier Alexandre Bilodeau completed a perfect moguls run, scoring 26.75 points in Vancouver. His victory earned Canada its first medal, which exorcised the “no gold at home” shackles Canada had suffered from since Montreal in 1976 and Calgary in 1988. The moment was made special when Bilodeau celebrated with Frédéric, his brother who has cerebral palsy, being one of the reasons Bilodeau strove to succeed. Bilodeau defended his title four years later in Sochi, becoming the first freestyle skier to win back-to-back Olympic golds.
***
English (US) · 