Best Olympics Highlight Photos From the Past Decade
![China's Qi Guangpu skis in olympic highlight](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/chinas-qi-guangpu-skis-in-olympic-highlight/elcAW2Bf0M5myqP_2V3O0t5Hx0U=/99x0:1010x683/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/da/f7/daf713c01e4942a68bfab8e598d0be58.jpeg)
Every two years, athletes compete at the Olympic Games to bring home the gold for their country. While their talents are plenty to celebrate, so is the sports photography that commemorates these historic moments.
Not only do photographers manage to capture the excitement of the Games, but they also bring to life the emotional challenges that these athletes face in and out of the global spotlight. These are the best Olympics highlight photos from the past decade for an in-depth look at the fierce competition.
Adam Rippon Performs During 2018 Winter Olympic Games
![Adam Rippon performs during 2018 Pyeongchang Olympic Games](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/adam-rippon-performs-during-2018-pyeongchang-olympic-games/hiSsTtPcO-JauG8DxSGl6VFu3SM=/0x178:4043x3210/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/63/39/6339f537ea404f839ad356c1b0218df9.jpeg)
Synchronized Swimmers in 2012 Summer Olympic Games
![Synchronized swimmers in 2012 London Olympic Games Summer Olympic games](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/synchronized-swimmers-in-2012-london-olympic-games-summer-olympic-games/9IkhxFUcUofdcvhb3JGQWunxFVw=/113x0:3177x2298/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/d0/4e/d04ea027e8ee4214a429867d0bb9aa00.jpeg)
BMX Cycling in 2012 Summer Olympic Games
![Colombia's Mariana Pajon leads competition in BMX cycling women's semifinal](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/colombias-mariana-pajon-leads-competition-in-bmx-cycling-womens-semifinal/6kJAVg0lIOmalK_kXYFlUwSlKD8=/192x0:4801x3456/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/66/ba/66ba743a9cba47efa4ce78e78f58b5fd.jpeg)
Kelly Clark Competing in 2014 Winter Olympic Games
![Kelly Clark in action in 2014 Winter Olympics](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/kelly-clark-in-action-in-2014-winter-olympics/h-ZI-Lk8P3RgdvQj4rdis_cLlkE=/88x0:3870x2836/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/0c/2f/0c2f6370f6c6450b8d5d85b0b190fb8a.jpeg)
Chisaki Oiwa's Flor Routine at 2020 Summer Olympic Games
![Chisaki Oiwa performs in 2020 Summer Olympic Games Summer Olympic games](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/chisaki-oiwa-performs-in-2020-summer-olympic-games-summer-olympic-games/PE7rkybAJKMtFeqNw0nBVRY_U1k=/220x0:1976x1316/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/0e/c9/0ec990f066fe429fbd5f6186370a6175.jpeg)
Jessica Ennis High Jumping at 2012 Summer Olympic Games
![Jessica Ennis doing the high jump during 2012 London Olympic Games](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/jessica-ennis-doing-the-high-jump-during-2012-london-olympic-games/cCTcil0irhUQY8Ay5_fxMz97yZw=/79x0:1635x1167/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/2a/66/2a6643e32e4048d88f16d9733bee61d0.jpeg)
Kaori Sakamoto Figure Skates at 2022 Winter Olympic Games
![2022 Winter Olympic Games figure skater](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/2022-winter-olympic-games-figure-skater/vXmI1OInHxr599IDjtMEd_Eov9Y=/17x0:785x576/768x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/e5/89/e589383e7d2845c2bc51bbb2cc9cac41.jpeg)
Kobe Bryant's Dunk at 2012 Summer Olympic Games
![United States' Kobe Bryant reacts after a dunk](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/united-states-kobe-bryant-reacts-after-a-dunk/bM2F28qG8x6_eBycHmYmproN0Qg=/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/c7/a1/c7a13e45a52448f285eed7aaffe598b5.jpeg)
Michael Phelps Celebrates at 2016 Summer Olympic Games
![Michael Phelps reacts after men's 100-meter butterfly final in 2016](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/michael-phelps-reacts-after-mens-100-meter-butterfly-final-in-2016/i3Tb_bw2iT-IHaWco2a2NJUsuI8=/183x0:2162x1484/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/99/d5/99d59d0e53c14c86aee892c98d01fca4.jpeg)
Ma Long at 2020 Summer Olympic Games
![China's Ma Long eyes ball as he serves in 2020 Summer Olympic Games](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/chinas-ma-long-eyes-ball-as-he-serves-in-2020-summer-olympic-games/E8cpO3kIMnx4ThIGg2IroF0AAfI=/314x0:4757x3332/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/a9/e6/a9e60dd0340c48f797a5cd5c3f55d633.jpeg)
Racers at 2014 Winter Olympic Games
![Racers in Sochi Winter Olympics](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/racers-in-sochi-winter-olympics/BOXRL5SK2zQIiSXBL0M4GUTGGyg=/36x0:2703x2000/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/71/05/7105ac16745348068efe25b8114f3b15.jpeg)
Liadagmis Povea Runs in 2020 Summer Olympic Games
![Liadagmis Povea competes in 2020 Summer Olympic Games](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/liadagmis-povea-competes-in-2020-summer-olympic-games/dkiEq2IQ8-ayn141wCLv7pM3LGk=/473x0:8049x5682/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/df/cf/dfcf643a3f6f456b9141bebbfea7c68b.jpeg)
Ryan Locthe Swims at 2012 Summer Olympic Games
![USA's Ryan Lochte competes](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/usas-ryan-lochte-competes/KI3QApfh44vJXgFmBn-sUEAOvIE=/453x0:2944x1868/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/e8/82/e8826f4c1e1c44ddaef264e049218c18.jpeg)
Lara Wolf Warms Up at 2022 Winter Olympic Games
![Canada Winter Olympics skiing](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/canada-winter-olympics-skiing/sQT9OYNyA7km6xc5Pk62grQMnII=/117x0:907x592/789x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/8d/29/8d29382089d842599d57eedcbbb62024.jpeg)
Karsten Warholm's Ecstatic at 2020 Summer Olympic Games
![Karsten Warholm celebrates 2020 Summer Olympic Games](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/karsten-warholm-celebrates-2020-summer-olympic-games/hxKPN9dKS7wvn8grsNCclX_8k64=/368x0:7911x5657/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/ad/f4/adf40d100fe54ef1b2ad67ba995a4000.jpeg)
Sergio Alvarez Moya Competing at 2016 Summer Olympic Games
![Spain's Sergio Alvarez Moya competing in 2016 Rio Olympic Games](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/spains-sergio-alvarez-moya-competing-in-2016-rio-olympic-games/NHOajj5JX-zddp1GCVyvC7uCs-E=/457x0:5082x3469/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/30/05/3005990ca5fa4bb1b758ee3ca553fc81.jpeg)
Benjamin Savsek Takes to the Waves in 2020 Summer Olympic Games
![Benjamin Savsek competes in canoe slalom](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/benjamin-savsek-competes-in-canoe-slalom/Iw1SJelIYdVlxvzeITpcyeUHEU4=/350x0:4057x2780/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/2a/60/2a60e8e0e85049448e1aba1d7fbb7cd2.jpeg)
David Wise in Action at 2014 Winter Olympic Games
![David Wise at 2014 Sochi Olympic Games](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/david-wise-at-2014-sochi-olympic-games/IFAkljip37tMpm7icfHeQwtPbxQ=/86x0:1024x703/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/61/3a/613a1079df944daa865ddfee3f598125.jpeg)
Dimitri Pavade Long Jumps at 2020 Summer Olympic Games
![France's Dimitri Pavade competes in men's long jump at 2020 Summer Olympic Games](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/frances-dimitri-pavade-competes-in-mens-long-jump-at-2020-summer-olympic-games/QDYbJMMYECIKD-Z3jtij7nLmc7k=/215x0:3657x2581/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/37/93/379373d4ef5a4ee8b5244617794c3874.jpeg)
Serena Williams Strikes a Pose at 2012 Summer Olympic Games
![Serena Williams posed with medal at 2012 London Olympic Games](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/serena-williams-posed-with-medal-at-2012-london-olympic-games/M-0CDi6jirZtCwWBK1fkpEkJ6PM=/299x0:2787x1866/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/f0/d3/f0d355b3a2a24227888cc6a0da6e9e1f.jpeg)
Racers Take a Curve at 2018 Winter Olympic Games
![Andrei Bogdanov and Andrei Medvedev take a curve in 2018 Pyeongchang Olympic Games](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/andrei-bogdanov-and-andrei-medvedev-take-a-curve-in-2018-pyeongchang-olympic-games/zOqdRm_LTTqt-mea9iJ4KkBGSiw=/304x0:3584x2460/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/e1/d6/e1d67fbb64354b998ba1f6255340af2d.jpeg)
Timna Nelson Levy at 2020 Summer Olympic Games
![Timna Nelson Levy of Israel reacts in 2020 Summer Olympic Games](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/timna-nelson-levy-of-israel-reacts-in-2020-summer-olympic-games/0nfPcrfxgxhOWZ1nNWVyWOol_00=/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/0c/90/0c90bd5005e34fc3a67cdffa69832eb3.jpeg)
Michael Phelps Competes at 2016 Summer Olympic Games
![Michael Phelps competes](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/michael-phelps-competes/P6n3SBVZJpRrvfROaq-CJg6_Rj0=/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/45/64/4564f7bcb5dd4f5b9475a5d8db4a5135.jpeg)
Thomas Daley Dives Into the 2020 Summer Olympic Games
![Thomas Daley competes in men's diving in 2020 Summer Olympic Games](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/thomas-daley-competes-in-mens-diving-in-2020-summer-olympic-games/sNjtS5rR-UPQvcobotrwGE4YCqU=/336x0:4194x2893/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/cc/48/cc486607be584280a77271647ae61da6.jpeg)
Shaun White's Victory at 2018 Winter Olympics
![Shaun White celebrates winning gold](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/shaun-white-celebrates-winning-gold/q3u5vESjE5KAHw3XYcA-wnNhbrQ=/0x80:2338x1834/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/a6/9b/a69bb496d40a45a5a1bb8a891713bc74.jpeg)
Jagger Eaton Street Skateboarding at 2020 Summer Olympic Games
![Jagger Eaton competes in street skateboarding](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/jagger-eaton-competes-in-street-skateboarding/Gvj3RZY1YCoGAGXGV4GO-Rmnsj8=/636x0:6825x4641/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/cf/dd/cfdd9cbb77554dc3ac9e63e50a08d479.jpeg)
Ryan Murphy and Caeleb Dressel React at 2020 Summer Olympic Games
![Ryan Murphy and Caeleb Dressel react after winning the gold medal in the men's 4x100-meter medley](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/ryan-murphy-and-caeleb-dressel-react-after-winning-the-gold-medal-in-the-mens-4x100-meter-medley/GnaJ425Mrpb8nwZUszGiSOuOO6g=/192x0:3940x2811/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/25/33/2533e7a141f24c2e921003cc3e4cf8d2.jpeg)
Sydney McLaughlin Competes at 2020 Summer Olympic Games
![Sydney McLaughlin wins women's 400-meter hurdles final](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/sydney-mclaughlin-wins-womens-400-meter-hurdles-final/qUrPhG7GV4Qn_D758vZ9xSirRkg=/264x0:2709x1833/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/18/63/18630ad62f524844b8d1eece2d9233be.jpeg)
Niklas Edin Throws Stone at 2018 Winter Olympic Games
![Niklas Edin throws stone in 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/niklas-edin-throws-stone-in-2018-pyeongchang-winter-olympic-games/ThOeW6As4OLGqxSFAiPBd94wqU0=/39x0:2336x1723/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/9a/b3/9ab30d441ea140f1a220dcd674e515cd.jpeg)
Simone Biles Doing Her Thing at 2020 Summer Olympics
![Simone Biles performs on balance beams in 2020 Summer Olympic Games](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/simone-biles-performs-on-balance-beams-in-2020-summer-olympic-games/5E6URQewTuO8cM8hrbnFc0UfQKk=/733x0:6593x4395/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/ce/64/ce64f79aa84f4903a23f92387b1f00e9.jpeg)
Kawan Figueredo Pereira Dives at 2020 Summer Olympics
![Kawan Figueredo Pereira competes in men's diving](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/kawan-figueredo-pereira-competes-in-mens-diving/EcOe82O1oS2F9TbZL7boCjmcrfw=/475x0:4880x3304/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/09/fa/09fa26392c9242b4827c0d2773faa894.jpeg)
Team Japan Victory at 2020 Summer Olympics
![Team Japan toss their manager Atsunori Inaba as they celebrate](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/team-japan-toss-their-manager-atsunori-inaba-as-they-celebrate/byPoOWuQDfvlY64IYaWwAVz3OlA=/261x0:4454x3144/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/7f/51/7f513f5ef3554bb18167783cf2b478f9.jpeg)
Kevin Durant Celebrates at 2020 Summer Olympic Games
![United States' Kevin Durant celebrates in 2020 Summer Olympic Games](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/united-states-kevin-durant-celebrates-in-2020-summer-olympic-games/uWxCgj5anPDqdz5FTmndnTGGAEg=/808x0:5009x3150/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/13/70/137035bccadc46f88493e5edcbca945c.jpeg)
Kerri Walsh Jennings and Misty May-Treanor Jumping for Joy at 2012 Summer Olympic Games
![United States’ Kerri Walsh Jennings and Misty May-Treanor celebrate in 2012 London Olympic Games](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/united-states-kerri-walsh-jennings-and-misty-may-treanor-celebrate-in-2012-london-olympic-games/DlPwscJ9RmmwjSZAsmRIfJKaFfw=/79x0:4247x3126/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/ee/ef/eeef915286584dc48a7fc765470ae070.jpeg)
Andy Murray Hugging Juan Martin del Potro at 2016 Summer Olympic Games
![Andy Murray embraces Juan Martin del Potro](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/andy-murray-embraces-juan-martin-del-potro/LjR1NJ4Ig9zGmARBBH3RJzVTGQA=/1208x0:3693x1863/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/b1/41/b141248efcfc40578ce2e1c9ec915448.jpeg)
Archery Event at 2020 Summer Olympic Games
![Athletes attend archery event in Tokyo 2020 Olympics](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/athletes-attend-archery-event-in-tokyo-2020-olympics/8iNNJpNHNbEVtafcrzjWzkXE7GI=/402x0:5205x3602/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/83/b9/83b945cc0a6b409a8705ed1863e810d8.jpeg)
Allyson Felix Shares a Moment With Her Daughter at 2020 Summer Olympic Games
![Allyson Felix celebrates after her second place finish](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/allyson-felix-celebrates-after-her-second-place-finish/_HqdO8_9NbknrtCSL-iUuJRyY9M=/571x0:5166x3446/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/1d/c0/1dc099c33d134763af2fe6fbf69d9ad6.jpeg)
Chloe Kim Shows Excitement at 2022 Winter Olympic Games
![United States' Chloe Kim reacts during women's halfpipe finals in 2022 Winter Olympic Games](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/united-states-chloe-kim-reacts-during-womens-halfpipe-finals-in-2022-winter-olympic-games/tslPVEeJ6NeKKf41RDFLsrOpaoA=/393x0:6703x4732/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/ef/f1/eff1cbc635ff4738b1485a7669777e3f.jpeg)
Women's Soccer Team Dons Masks at 2020 Summer Olympic Games
![Members of Canadian women's soccer team watch flag raise](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/members-of-canadian-womens-soccer-team-watch-flag-raise/NB73SzBSJkMI4Fk_J5H9Pw5TY4U=/69x0:4237x3125/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/31/12/31123edadcc44483b486ae192cb9cd12.jpeg)
Danell Leyva Competing on the Rings at 2016 Summer Olympic Games
![Danell Leyva competes on the rings](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/danell-leyva-competes-on-the-rings/w34Zk8JVHGBkpjuqE_WrCu3rWR8=/320x0:5440x3840/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/12/9e/129e7ab846444ee2bd922ef8336d74d5.jpeg)
Carissa Moore Surfs in 2020 Summer Olympic Games
![Carissa Moore competes during the gold medal heat in the women's surfing competition at 2020 Summer Olympic Games](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/carissa-moore-competes-during-the-gold-medal-heat-in-the-womens-surfing-competition-at-2020-summer-olympic-games/bB0CepxxshQwJvSkJX6RdZOMrh0=/480x0:8160x5760/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/0a/3a/0a3a8fe710b743199f06fa0d31d347e4.jpeg)
Lasha Talakhadze Weightlifting at 2020 Summer Olympic Games
![Lasha Talakhadze competes in men's +109kg weightlifting event 2020 Summer Olympic Games](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/lasha-talakhadze-competes-in-mens-109kg-weightlifting-event-2020-summer-olympic-games/wnq8KHlOq0RGIIIksRNmBik3lYU=/284x0:4832x3411/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/e0/db/e0dbc7c5cee44e3da552e614126dd298.jpeg)
Shaun White Gets Emotional at 2022 Winter Olympics