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The long-awaited 2020 Tokyo Olympics has come to an end and some of the athletes are returning to their home countries triumphant with medals around their necks, while others were less lucky, but still have their hearts filled with good memories.

There were a lot of those memorable stories during the last few weeks and it would be hard to recount them all. Bored Panda brings you a list of powerful photos representing athletes' milestones and just wholesome moments that made the Olympics even more amazing.

#1

Philippines Just Won Its First Gold Medal In The Olympics

Philippines Just Won Its First Gold Medal In The Olympics

Reuters Report

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics were held in 2021, i.e. a year after it was supposed to, so this year it was highly anticipated. The Olympics were postponed due to the pandemic as last year, it was only the beginning of it, so Japan as well as the world wasn’t prepared to hold such an event safely.

Japan had an extra year to get ready for the Games and to ensure all safety measures. The athletes had to do COVID-19 tests regularly, wear masks everywhere and sanitize their hands. The Olympic events didn’t have spectators and the athletes had to put medals on their necks by themselves in order to minimize contact.

#2

This Man Stands Outside The Tokyo Olympic Village Every Day To Motivate Athletes

This Man Stands Outside The Tokyo Olympic Village Every Day To Motivate Athletes

Youka Nagase Report

#3

High Jumpers Mutaz Essa Barshim And Gianmarco Tamberi Shared The Gold Medal, Which Had Not Happened Since 1912

High Jumpers Mutaz Essa Barshim And Gianmarco Tamberi Shared The Gold Medal, Which Had Not Happened Since 1912

AFP Report

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Hans
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Despite all the strive for competition, this really was a nice gesture. Sports can unity people.

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However, it doesn’t matter how strictly the organizers try to make the athletes follow the safety measures, the risk of the disease is always there. So they had to think not only about prevention but also what should be done when a case of COVID-19 would be confirmed.

According to Kyodo News, the total number of people who tested positive since July and had any relation to the Olympics was 430. They reported, “Of the 430 confirmed cases since July 1, only 32 were those of people who stayed in the village. A total of 286 are residents of Japan and 144 from overseas. The largest portion of the total, 236, were contract workers, followed by 109 games participants and 29 athletes.”

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#4

Olympic Gold Medalist Tom Daley Knitting In The Stands To Calm His Nerves While Watching The Diving

Olympic Gold Medalist Tom Daley Knitting In The Stands To Calm His Nerves While Watching The Diving

PA Report

#5

Jamaica Takes Gold, Silver And Bronze In Women’s 100m Final In The Tokyo Olympics 2021

Jamaica Takes Gold, Silver And Bronze In Women’s 100m Final In The Tokyo Olympics 2021

Reuters Report

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Vicky Z
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We need to know the secret of Jamaica... I'm imagining someone is chasing them around from a young age..

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#6

Oksana Chusovitina, 46 Years Old, Has Participated In Olympics Since 1992 And 2020 Tokyo Olympics Was Her Eighth And Last One

Oksana Chusovitina, 46 Years Old, Has Participated In Olympics Since 1992 And 2020 Tokyo Olympics Was Her Eighth And Last One

Fion Li Report

There were people who believed that continuing with the Olympics when the pandemic is not yet over was a mistake and the safest choice would have been to postpone it again. But evidently that decision wasn’t made and the Games carried on.

It was an extraordinary event with impressive opening and closing ceremonies and, of course, the performances of the athletes. Their results were amazing, world and national records were broken and even though Bored Panda didn’t report on everything, we covered some stories that maybe you would be interested in in, like the one of this BMX racer who had to crowdfund her trip to Tokyo, this one of an Australian working at Woolworths to be able to save some money, and this one of a gymnast who had to withdraw from the competition because of her mental state.

#7

Flora Duffy Wins Bermuda's First-Ever Gold At 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Flora Duffy Wins Bermuda's First-Ever Gold At 2020 Tokyo Olympics

CHINE NOUVELLE/SIPA Report

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Vicky Z
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always feel more happy for the small countries that get their first medal!!!!

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#8

Quanesha Burks - From Mcdonalds To The Tokyo Olympics In Long Jump!!

Quanesha Burks - From Mcdonalds To The Tokyo Olympics In Long Jump!!

Quanesha Burks OLY Report

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#9

American Shot Putter Ryan Crouser Won A Gold Medal And Had A Message To His Grandad: "Grandpa, We Did It, 2020 Olympic Champion"

American Shot Putter Ryan Crouser Won A Gold Medal And Had A Message To His Grandad: "Grandpa, We Did It, 2020 Olympic Champion"

rcrouser Report

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Full Name
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I saw this one live as well. His grandfather had passed away the week before.

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During these Olympics, it was the first time when countries like San Marino and Burkina Faso earned their first medals, and it was the year when a new Olympic sport, skateboarding, debuted. It was the first time a transgender person won a medal, and that was Canadian soccer player Quinn. Many more wonderful things happened that no pandemic could have overshadowed.

#10

Simone Biles Decides To Withdraw From The Olympics To Take Care Of Her Mental Health

Simone Biles Decides To Withdraw From The Olympics To Take Care Of Her Mental Health

Agência Brasil Fotografias Report

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Alexia
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She could have said it was an physical injury, but she chose to speak the truth (and face criticism and hate). This will have an impact on future generations of athletes: if you feel something is off, it's ok to step aside. No gold medal is worth risking your health and safety. Best decision ever. Thank you, Simone.

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#11

Abe Siblings Uta And Hifumi Make Olympic History Winning Gold In Judo Within One Hour Of Each Other

Abe Siblings Uta And Hifumi Make Olympic History Winning Gold In Judo Within One Hour Of Each Other

Yoshiyuki Tomizawa Report

#12

USA's Isaiah Jewett And Botswana's Nijel Amos Got In An Accident And Fell, Then They Got Up Together And Walked Each Other To The Finish

USA's Isaiah Jewett And Botswana's Nijel Amos Got In An Accident And Fell, Then They Got Up Together And Walked Each Other To The Finish

AFP Report

At the Olympics, the most important thing is the participation, being a part of something big and feeling the Olympic spirit. But it is surely a great achievement to win a medal and know that all the hard work is rewarded. 

To quickly summarize, the US was the country that won the most medals (113); other countries in the top 5 are China (88), the Russian Olympic Committee (81), Britain (65) and the host of the Olympics, Japan (58).

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#13

Momiji Nishiya (13) From Japan Is The First Gold Medallist In Women’s Street Skateboarding

Momiji Nishiya (13) From Japan Is The First Gold Medallist In Women’s Street Skateboarding

momiji_nishiya830 Report

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Vicky Z
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I really really hope they enjoy it cause nowadays we know all the tragic stories of the very young Olympic athletes and I'm always worried when i see so young participating

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#14

This Is How India Welcomed Its Only Olympic Silver Medalist Home

This Is How India Welcomed Its Only Olympic Silver Medalist Home

Voice of Indian Sports Report

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Dominik
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But when was this? This year they had two silver and one golden one, just sayin

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#15

Norway’s Athlete Karsten Warholm Broke His Own 400-Meter Hurdles World Record

Norway’s Athlete Karsten Warholm Broke His Own 400-Meter Hurdles World Record

Reuters Report

Did you watch the Olympics? What events were you most interested in? Was your country represented and did the athletes win any medals? Tell us your thoughts about the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the comments and upvote the photos that speak to you the most!

#16

South African Swimmer Tatjana Schoenmaker Is Congratulated By Her Rivals For Winning Gold

South African Swimmer Tatjana Schoenmaker Is Congratulated By Her Rivals For Winning Gold

CBC Sports Report

#17

Rayssa Fadinha, 13, The Youngest Brazilian Athlete - And Now Medalist - In The Olympics' History

Rayssa Fadinha, 13, The Youngest Brazilian Athlete - And Now Medalist - In The Olympics' History

AFP Report

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Vicky Z
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I really liked that addition this year!! It was very cool! I'm not sure how breakdance will be in Paris though.... I'm not sure it should be considered a sport

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#18

USA National Women’s Volleyball Team Reacts To First-Ever Olympic Gold Finish In 3-0 Sweep Of Brazil

USA National Women’s Volleyball Team Reacts To First-Ever Olympic Gold Finish In 3-0 Sweep Of Brazil

AFP Report

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Jam Jam
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm getting tearful just looking at this. All the raw emotion in this photo :')

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#19

American Sprinter Allyson Felix Becomes The Most Decorated American Athlete In Olympic Track And Field History

American Sprinter Allyson Felix Becomes The Most Decorated American Athlete In Olympic Track And Field History

Reuters Report

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Pilot Chick
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She has won 11 Olympic medals in track and field themost in US history

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#20

After 17-Year-Old Swimmer Lydia Jacoby Wins Gold, People In Her Alaska Hometown Can't Contain Their Excitement

After 17-Year-Old Swimmer Lydia Jacoby Wins Gold, People In Her Alaska Hometown Can't Contain Their Excitement

The Athletic Report

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Nathan Pogorzala
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

17! Just think about that. She may swim on her high school swim team as a junior. She must be utterly destroying every meet. That is cool.

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#21

A Sight You Wouldn't See At Another Olympics

A Sight You Wouldn't See At Another Olympics

9999monkeys Report

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Tequila4Two
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How many medals did the Autobots take home? .. Edit: TIL not all big giant bots are Transformers, this one is Gundam.

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#22

World's Fastest Man Is Lamont Marcell Jacobs, Having Sprinted 100 M In 9.80sec

World's Fastest Man Is Lamont Marcell Jacobs, Having Sprinted 100 M In 9.80sec

ZUMAPRESS.com Report

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Trouble Bubble Popper
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If Usain Bolt's 100m sprint was done in 9.58 seconds wouldn't he still be considered the fastest man? Can someone help me to understand?

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#23

Colombian Runner Melissa Gonzalez's Husband, David Blough, Watching His Wife Run In The Olympics

Colombian Runner Melissa Gonzalez's Husband, David Blough, Watching His Wife Run In The Olympics

detroitlionsnfl Report

#24

Finish Line Of The Men's Marathon At The 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Finish Line Of The Men's Marathon At The 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Reuters Report

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Vicky Z
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Kipchoge who won makes it look so easy! Everyone is down and he seems ready to run another marathon straight away

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#25

The Hands Of Hidilyn Diaz After Winning Her Country's First Olympic Gold Medal

The Hands Of Hidilyn Diaz After Winning Her Country's First Olympic Gold Medal

Paolo del Rosario Report

#26

Yuto Horigome From Japan Wins The First-Ever Olympic Skateboarding Gold Medal

Yuto Horigome From Japan Wins The First-Ever Olympic Skateboarding Gold Medal

zmsickmarvel Report

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Jovita A
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm curious how they developed criteria for rating the skaters? It's hard to measure it in numerical values...

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#27

Filipino-American Lee Kiefer Wins Team USA’s First Gold Medal For Women’s Individual Foil Fencing

Filipino-American Lee Kiefer Wins Team USA’s First Gold Medal For Women’s Individual Foil Fencing

fencing_fie Report

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Two_rolling_black_eyes
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What I think is more impressive is she's trained the last 18 months with just her husband in a Kentucky basement due to COVID. They built a piste out of masking tape. The entire Italian squad "holed up" in their 25,000 sq ft training facility with support staff.

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#28

The First Skateboard Medalists In Olympic History!

The First Skateboard Medalists In Olympic History!

Reuters Report

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Emma London
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You mean the first male skateboard medalists? Or there are three missing from the pic.

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#29

Alexander Zverev Became The First German Tennis Player To Win Singles Gold In The Olympic Games

Alexander Zverev Became The First German Tennis Player To Win Singles Gold In The Olympic Games

Reuters Report

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Teodora Nesheva
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

First MALE German player. Steffi Graf won gold in 1988, part of her Golden Slam (winning all 4 Grand Slams + an Olympic gold in the same year), a feat no one else in history has achieved. Djokovic tried this year as he has already won 3 Grand Slams but got beaten by Zverev in the semis.

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#30

Australian High Jumper Nicola Mcdermot Gives Herself A Rating After Every Performance In Her Journal

Australian High Jumper Nicola Mcdermot Gives Herself A Rating After Every Performance In Her Journal

Dr Noel Brick Report

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#31

Caeleb Dressel After Winning His 5th Gold Medal In The 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Caeleb Dressel After Winning His 5th Gold Medal In The 2020 Tokyo Olympics

AFP Report

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Blake Ingram
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This dude is from the county I grew up and live in. Our local farm and crop maze, Amazing Grace, had such an awesome sight for him to return to! Putting Clay County, Fl on the map! I’m so proud of him!

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