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1946–1999

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MOMENTS FROM THIS ERA

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16 illustrated stories · growing daily
A long-haired Colombian goalkeeper watches a high ball approaching his goal at old Wembley.Sport

René Higuita's scorpion-kick clearance at Wembley in 1995

On 6 September 1995, Colombia goalkeeper René Higuita met Jamie Redknapp's looping ball with an acrobatic double-heel clearance. The scorpion kick became the enduring image of a goalless friendly at Wembley.

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Derartu Tulu and Elana Meyer run side by side during a distance race in a crowded stadium.Sport

Derartu Tulu and Elana Meyer’s shared lap at Barcelona 1992

After the Olympic 10,000m final on 7 August 1992, Tulu and Meyer turned a fierce race into a spontaneous shared celebration.

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An archer releases a flaming arrow toward the high cauldron above a crowded stadium at night.Sport

Antonio Rebollo lights Barcelona's Olympic cauldron

At the opening ceremony on 25 July 1992, a flaming arrow ignited the Olympic cauldron while flying over its rim rather than landing inside.

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A white racing yacht heels through teal water under full sails while its crew works on deck.Sport

Australia II wins the America’s Cup with its concealed winged keel

Australia II won the deciding America’s Cup race on 26 September 1983. Its much-discussed winged keel, kept hidden before the victory, became the emblem of a successful campaign that also depended on crew work, sails and tactics.

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An Indian cricket fielder watches a descending red ball with Lord's pavilion behind him.Sport

India wins the 1983 Cricket World Cup final at Lord's

India defeated West Indies at Lord's on 25 June 1983 after being bowled out for 183. Their successful defence ended the reigning champions' attempt at a third consecutive title and transformed expectations of Indian one-day cricket.

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Two runners move side by side along a rain-soaked London street, watched by spectators.Sport

The first London Marathon and its shared men's victory, 29 March 1981

Dick Beardsley and Inge Simonsen crossed the inaugural London Marathon finish line holding hands. Their shared victory became an enduring image of a race conceived as both elite competition and a public festival.

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A young gymnast stands beside uneven bars after a routine as spectators applaud in a 1970s arena.Sport

Nadia Comăneci’s first Olympic perfect 10 and the 1.00 display

Nadia Comăneci earned the first perfect 10 in Olympic gymnastics on 18 July 1976 in Montreal. The scoreboard displayed 1.00 because it could not accommodate 10.00, turning a technical limitation into an enduring sporting image.

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Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs face each other across a tennis net beneath the Astrodome roof.Sport

Billie Jean King, Bobby Riggs and the 1973 Battle of the Sexes

On 20 September 1973, Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs at the Houston Astrodome. Their exhibition mixed elaborate promotion with a serious argument about the recognition and value of women’s professional sport.

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An astronaut takes a one-handed golf swing on the lunar surface with a lander in the background.Sport

Alan Shepard plays golf on the Moon during Apollo 14

On 6 February 1971, Apollo 14 commander Alan Shepard used a makeshift six-iron to hit two golf balls on the Moon. The brief experiment in recreation followed demanding lunar fieldwork and became one of the programme’s most memorable human moments.

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Brazilian footballers in plain yellow shirts lift a small winged trophy before a packed stadium.Sport

Brazil’s 1970 World Cup victory and permanent Jules Rimet Trophy award

Brazil defeated Italy 4–1 in the World Cup final on June 21, 1970. Becoming the first nation with three titles brought an unusual consequence: Brazil received permanent ownership of the Jules Rimet Trophy.

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A high jumper arches backward over a bar above a padded landing area in a stadium.Sport

Dick Fosbury wins Olympic high-jump gold with the Fosbury Flop

Dick Fosbury won the men’s high jump in Mexico City on 20 October 1968, clearing an Olympic-record 2.24 metres. His backward, head-first style made an unconventional technique famous on the largest sporting stage.

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Illustration of Enriqueta Basilio carrying a flaming torch beside stadium steps in Mexico City.Sport

Enriqueta Basilio lights the cauldron at Mexico 1968

On 12 October 1968, Mexican runner Enriqueta Basilio completed the Olympic torch relay and lit the cauldron in Mexico City. Her appearance placed a woman at the centre of an opening-ceremony honour previously given to men.

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