With gold on the line for the U.S. women's gymnastics team, Kerri Strug, vaulting with a sprained ankle, stuck her landing and captured the heart of a nation.
After the 10,000m, Ethiopia's Derartu Tulu, the first black African woman to earn an Olympic medal, and white South African Elena Meyer shared a victory lap that symbolized hope for Africa.
The identity of who would light the Olympic flame had been a closely guarded secret. The sudden appearance of 1960 gold medalist Muhammad Ali ignited the crowd.
The first time Eric Moussambani of Equatorial Guinea saw an Olympic-sized pool was at the 2000 Games. With the other two competitors disqualified for false starts, he was buoyed by a capacity crowd cheering deliriously just for him.
Derek Redmond of Great Britain was leading his 400m semifinal when a torn hamstring sent him to the track. As he rose and hobbled toward the finish, his father fought past security in time to help his son cross the line.
Poll
What is the most inspirational story of the Beijing Olympics thus far?
Comeback from leukemia 
