Charles Hartley, a free-lance writer based in New Jersey, has written more than a thousand published sports articles. He earned Master’s degrees in Business Administration and Journalism. In addition, he was awarded his Bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University where he majored in English and Communications
It wasn’t LeBron cussing to the throngs of people at the Cavaliers NBA championship victory parade. It wasn’t Ryan Fitzpatrick holding out all summer for $12 million before he would agree to play for the Jets. It wasn’t Colin Kapperstiltsken preaching to us about social inequities. It wasn’t following Trump on Twitter.
It was one guy after one event in one scene that made for the best sports moment of 2016.
The guy is American swimmer Ryan Held.
As he stood on the Gold Medal podium with his teammates as one member of the United States 4 by 100 freestyle relay team, he lost control of his emotions.
He bowed his head and cried. He wasn’t supposed to be there. Heading into the Olympics there were plenty of other faster swimmers who were expected to be among the top four Americans for that team. Others were stars such as Michael Phelps. Outside swimming circles, Ryan Held was an unknown.
But he swam so fast in events leading up to the Olympics that he was chosen to be on that relay.
Out of obscurity he emerged. Into our hearts he plunged.
As he bowed his head, put his fingers on his eyes, and cried, Phelps put his hand on Held’s shoulder as if to say “it’s OK to cry when you win a Gold Medal.”
The image of Held on that medal stand sobbing was the most moving and unforgettable moment in all of sports this year. He was overcome with what he was feeling. He couldn’t hold in his joy, nor could anyone who saw this.
His were tears of happiness. Much more often we witness tears of despair. What a refreshing change, a man so happy he wept in front of the world.
This was a moment when a young man did something that he was not expected to do – win a Gold Medal at the Olympic Games.
Thank you, Ryan Held, for swimming as fast as you did to help the Americans win. And thank you for allowing us to feel what the achievement felt for you.
In 2016 you touched our hearts in more powerful ways than any other athlete.
By the way I didn’t know that following the illegitimate next US President on Twitter was a sport moment. Reading an insult or a lie every hour can make some people laugh. In my case it makes me much more cry to see so many ignorant people have fun with that. “Social” networks which have nothing of social can be a great tool. But we can now officially say that they are also the best inventions ever for stark raving mad persons. They can lie 24/7 and people without brain believe everything. The same people are ripped off and they don’t realize it. And then you wonder why they make everything they can to produce the most ignorant people possible….… Read more »
I love this comment so much
I could not agree more.
Pertaining to your comment on the 100 free AR, do you only think it is stupid because of it being set with the illigal suits? Care to elaborate?
I agree. I don’t understand why Bobo keep referring Walters’ 100 free AR as stupid.
The suits were legal (by FINA and USAS) when Walters swam the record, and it’s only 47.33, it’s not like it’s 46or something.
By the way, Bobo, all three of Phelps’ LCM AR were also done in “illegal suits”. Are they also “stupid”?
An grumpy old man whom nobody listens to in his family…
And still no full video of the race on youtube. Why the official olympic youtube channel has posted some finals and not some others?
I agree! I’m so mad at NBC for not making these videos available! To this DAY I have not seen the 4×200 Free Relay in its entirity! I know NBC owns the rights to them, but WE are US Swimming! We supported and nurtured these athletes as they grew in the sport as fans, coaches and teammates! Is it too much to ask that after the content has aired we have access to these memories that mean so MUCH to us?!
I think I might have the underwater footage of the 4×200 free relay as well as other events somewhere on my hard drive. Not sure if I can upload it on YouTube though.
Interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiS4yoPpZZc
Medal ceremony
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g2I8XUmW7g
Ryan’s reaction to winning the gold medal and seeing the response of his teammates, including MP, was my favorite memory from Rio too! Thanks, Ryan, you made me feel like I was there, and I cried along with you!
Me too. I was so proud of him I wanted to bust.