7 Parents Reveal Their Most Powerful Olympic Memories

My daughter has been watching the Olympics this summer. It's fun to watch her watching, because I know that these are the images of memories. That Michael Phelps losing gold and then winning it many times over, that Gabby Douglas's gold and Jordyn Wieber's heartbreak are the things that she'll remember years from now when she is with her own children. I asked some of my fellow bloggers (and a tweeter!) about some of their most poignant Olympic memories. Click through to see their responses!



1. Nadia Comanici's perfect 10 in gymnastics
I remember being 10 years old, on summer vacation with my family in Hilton Head, SC, and watching Nadia Comanici get the perfect 10 in gymnastics. Is it possible that was the same year Olga Korbut wore little pigtails? My sister and I spent the rest of the vacation perfecting the end-of-routine pose: hands overhead in a rigid 'V,' legs straight and together, chest and belly puffed out. - Karen Gerwin, @Karen Gerwin





Related: 16 ways to celebrate the Olympics with your kids



2. Torvill and Dean's Ice Dancing
I'll never forget Torvill & Dean skating to Bolero in the 1984 Olympics. To this day, I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful ice-dancing performance. I have them to thank for my inspiration for becoming a world-class figure skater. Oh, OK, in my fantasies. - Ellen, Babble Voices & Love That Max




3. Greg Louganis cracking his head on the diving board
In 1988 when Greg Louganis cracked his head on the diving board that scared the bejeebies out of me to this day. My poor kids know the name of Greg Louganis because they've been hearing it since the first time they dared defy me and let their dad goad them onto the board: "Careful or you'll end up like Greg Louganis!" - Alexandra, Good Day, Regular People




Related: 10 bizarre souvenirs from the 2012 Olympic games



4. Mark Spitz winning 7 gold medals
Mark Spitz winning 7 gold medals in swimming at the 1972 games in Munich. I remember watching this at my grandparents' house on Long Island mostly because their living room couch and chairs were covered in that very fashionable-for-the-time clear plastic wrap. The excitement and patriotism were unforgettable; the butt-crack sweat, uncontrollable. - Kevin, Always Home and Uncool





5. MaryLou Retton's 1984 performance
I remember thinking that MaryLou Retton was the cutest thing ever and I ADORED her. Even though her nickname was "Thunder Thighs." I just re-watched her 1984 Olympic routines and think they're still better/more fun to watch than what a lot of the girls are doing now. She was just incredible. - Amy, Bitchin' Wives Club



Related: 10 baby names for a future Olympian


6. Joan Benoit Samuelson winning the first women's marathon My favorite Olympic memory is of Joan Benoit Samuelson winning the very first women's marathon in LA in 1984. I jumped up and down in my grandparents' living room and cheered when she crossed the line, grabbed an American flag and then did another lap. She and Greta Waitz are the reason I wanted to run marathons. -Heather, The Days Are Just Packed





7. Watching Kerri Strug's ankle snap
My greatest childhood Olympic memory: I was at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta (and I was only 17 so I was totally a child), and I remember watching (and hearing) Kerri Strug's ankle snap. The television monitors in the arena kept replaying the moment so I may just be scarred for life. Now, I feel like my favorite moment should've been Kerri Strug making the second landing onto her already injured ankle for team USA -- not as scarring though. - Alex, Late Enough



- By Marinka
Follow Marinka on Babble

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