From Budd to Bolt

Sporting greatness is defined by more than just a haul of gold medals or championship titles. They help of course, especially if, like Usain Bolt, an athlete redefines what is possible in terms of world records or, in the case of Mark Spitz or Steve Redgrave, demonstrates a sheer dominance of their sport.


But greatness is is everything else besides, the mixture of emotion, endurance, excellence and vulnerability that sport brings - as well as the controversy it sometimes stirs - that creates truly stunning moments that live long in our memories and in sporting history.


'From Budd to Bolt: 50 Stunning Olympic Moments' tells the stories of moments of heart-stopping brilliance and failure. The heartbreak of Paula Radcliffe in her marathon attempt of 2004; the shock of the USSR's basketball gold medal victory against the USA in a frosty Cold War-era meeting in 1972; Derek Redmond being helped across the finish line in the 400m by his father after injuring himself during the race; Kelly Holmes' long-awaited and exhilarating double gold medal performances in Athens; Jesse Owens; Greg Louganis; Chris Hoy; Nadia Comaneci's incredible perfect 10. They're all here, their stories retold the Guardian's finest sports writers, based on the paper's newly commissioned series that places these historic sporting moments in a modern context. Inspiring, incredible, infuriating - they are all unforgettable.