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 **These are a few examples of Olympic performances that have affected the world** **. More Olympic heroes can be read about by exploring the Who's Who page. You can also go on the multimedia page to see video clips of many exciting moments and movie clips.** 
 * **1968 Summer Olympics: Black Power Salute-**
 * African American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists in a salute to black power at the 1968 Summer Olympics. This was a well known civil rights movement. These athletes were treated extremely harsh after this. This brave movement showed many people that standing up for what you believe in is very important. This salute convinced other African Americans to take part in the Civil Rights Movement. Tommie Smith and John Carlos played a huge part in obtaining equal rights for African Americans by showing their dedication at the 1968 Summer Olympics. This information is from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_Olympics_Black_Power_salute
 * This brave movement gave people everywhere the confidence to stand up for what they believe in. Tommie Smith and John Carlos were punished for their actions. This was unfair because they helped many more people than they hurt. This salute showed people the undeserving hatred that African Americans were getting. These athletes really took one for the team when they did this. (Jon Fine)
 * **1936 Summer Olympics: Jesse Owens-**
 * Jesse Owens was a track and field athlete for the U.S.A. He competed in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany. Adolph Hitler wanted to use this Olympics to show how dominant the Germans were. This included showing that the Aryan race was far more supreme than the other races. This was known as the belief of Aryan Supremacy. Jesse Owens proved to Hitler and all of his followers that this was not true. He did this by winning 4 gold medals and gaining international fame. Although he was famous around the world, Jesse Owens still faced discrimination back in the U.S. The brave and successful actions of Jesse Owens ended up helping the Civil Rights Movement. Jesse Owens helped gain equal rights for African Americans and helped destroy the world wide belief of Aryan Supremacy. This information is from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Owens#Berlin_Olympics
 * The Olympic Games changed Jesse Owens because he was now a celebrity. He redifined Hitler's Germany because of his olympic performance. The Olympics didn't just change Jesse, but the world. The Olympics helped changed many people's views on segregation, enabling many to see that everyone is created equally. - Schuyler Berland
 * **1972 Summer Olympics: Israeli O****lympic team murdered-**
 * Sometimes the Olympic Games has power to remind the world that there is still hatred. An unfortunate example of this could be the 1972 Olympic games in Munich, Germany. At early hours in the morning of the games, Palestinian terrorists were able to climb over the Olympic fence and imprison eleven Israelis. The terrorists then asked for the release of over 200 Palestinian terrorists in return for the eleven lives. The terrorists then negotiated with German forces to receive safe passage out of the country, unaware that snipers were being ready to attack the terrorists. Unfortunately, the plan failed and the the two planes took off. One plane with terrorists was bombed by a grenade, while the hostages on the other helicopter were also killed. The Palestinians were held hostage until October 29, when a plane was hijacked in a working attempt to free the Palestinian terrorists. This event led to a movie called "Munich", and affected millions of people watching the tragic event on the news. It is a constant reminder that the Olympics is to show world unity, not hatred. This information is from http://www.palestinefacts.org/pf_1967to1991_munich.php
 * The massacre of the Israeli Olympic team was a disaster. This was an act of ignorance and hatred. The Olympics affected the world in 1972 because it showed that hatred still continues on Earth. This tragic event caused people to believe that the 1972 summer Olympics should not continue. Fortunately, Israeli secret agents were able to hunt down some of the terrorists who took place in this terrible scheme. Some of the terrorists, unfortunately, have lived to see the day where they are viewed as heroes, something that is sick and sad. It shows how the Olympic Games can enable hatred and love, sometimes at the same time. (Jon Fine and Schuyler Berland)


 * **1980 Winter Olympics: "Miracle On Ice"-**
 * ** In this Olympics, the U.S. hockey team defeated the highly rated USSR hockey team. This game became known as the "Miracle On Ice." This game had a huge effect on the world and everyone living at the time. This is because it convinced people everywhere that anyone can do anything that they put there minds to. This was an amazing Cinderella story and it showed people that the U.S. hockey team had the determination that was needed to become winners. Herb Brooks was the coach of this team. He proved to his players that they had what it took to pull off one of the greatest upsets in sports history. These American athletes stunned the world and gave hope to people everywhere. This information is from http://proicehockey.about.com/cs/history/a/miracle_on_ice.htm
 * This victory by the U.S. proved to everyone that the Olympics cause success. It also causes people to work hard and believe in team effort. In this game, the better team may not have won, but the more focused and determined team did. The Olympic Games caused change because people were shown that the person less likely win can always achieve his/her dream (Jon Fine and Schuyler Berland).


 * **2008: Michael Phelps' Marijuana Tragedy-**
 * Sometimes, people take advantage of what they have already achieved. This can be said about the Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps. The winner of fourteen gold medals was found smoking weed (marijuana) on a college campus in England. Phelps is only twenty three years of age, meaning he has more opportunities in the future to win many more medals. Unfortunately, Michael Phelps has almost diminished his heroic title. He is suspended from swimming for some time and might not be able to recover his career. His actions show that taking advantage of what you have could lead to disaster. Kellogg's has decided to no longer sponsor Phelps, as well as many other companies. Fortunately for Phelps, Swiss watchmaker Omega called Phelps' tragedy a "non-issue," continuing to sponsor the Olympic hero. For everyone who saw, Phelps has taught us a lesson; don't do drugs, even if you have won fourteen gold medals (information specifically from http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-sports-marijuana8-2009feb08,0,1583371.story ).
 * Marijuana has been used by many people including sports stars. It is very unfortunate that Phelps was found doing marijuana, because he broke the record for number of gold medals in one Olympics, and still has his whole career ahead of him. I don't think that any company should still sponsor Phelps, because he has made a very wrong decision, and there is no way he can make up for what he has done. Do not take advantage of what you have achieved, because it can get you into serious trouble.
 * **2008 Summer Olympics: U.S. Redeem Team-**
 * The U.S.A. men's basketball team was extremely disappointed with their performance in the 2004 Summer Olympics. That was the main reason that they decided to base their practices for the 2008 Summer Olympics on teamwork. This philosophy resulted in a gold medal for the U.S. men's basketball team in 2008. This was an emotional run for the gold for the U.S. Mainly because they wanted to show the world that the dominance of the U.S.A. men's basketball team was back. This team had the greatest of stars, but it is how they worked together that won them the gold. This information is from http://www.nba.com/usabasketball2008/index.html
 * This is another example of how the Olympics cause change. The summer 2004 Olympic defeat caused the Redeem Team to work on team effort and to always put the team first. This caused Redeem Team to win the gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics; something they deserved. Without the Olympics causing the team to work together, they would have never achieved their dream. -Schuyler Berland