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

Morry Gash / AP Photo
Synchronized Swimmers in 2012 Summer Olympic Games

Michael Sohn / AP Photo
BMX Cycling in 2012 Summer Olympic Games

Matt Rourke / AP Photo
Kelly Clark Competing in 2014 Winter Olympic Games

Jae C. Hong / AP Photo
Chisaki Oiwa’s Flor Routine at 2020 Summer Olympic Games

Natacha Pisarenko / AP Photo
Jessica Ennis High Jumping at 2012 Summer Olympic Games

Mark Duncan / AP Photo
Kaori Sakamoto Figure Skates at 2022 Winter Olympic Games

David J. Phillip / AP
Kobe Bryant’s Dunk at 2012 Summer Olympic Games

Eric Gay / AP Photo
Michael Phelps Celebrates at 2016 Summer Olympic Games

Michael Sohn / AP Photo
Ma Long at 2020 Summer Olympic Games

Kin Cheung / AP Photo
Racers at 2014 Winter Olympic Games

Jonathan Hayward / AP Photo/The Canadian Press
Liadagmis Povea Runs in 2020 Summer Olympic Games

David Goldman / AP Photo
Ryan Locthe Swims at 2012 Summer Olympic Games

David J. Phillip / AP Photo
Lara Wolf Warms Up at 2022 Winter Olympic Games

Sean Kilpatrick / AP
Karsten Warholm’s Ecstatic at 2020 Summer Olympic Games

Charlie Riedel / AP Photo
Sergio Alvarez Moya Competing at 2016 Summer Olympic Games

John Locher / AP Photo
Benjamin Savsek Takes to the Waves in 2020 Summer Olympic Games

Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP Photo
David Wise in Action at 2014 Winter Olympic Games

Andy Wong / AP
Dimitri Pavade Long Jumps at 2020 Summer Olympic Games

Eugene Hoshiko / AP Photo
Serena Williams Strikes a Pose at 2012 Summer Olympic Games

Elise Amendola / AP Photo
Racers Take a Curve at 2018 Winter Olympic Games

Michael Sohn / AP Photo
Timna Nelson Levy at 2020 Summer Olympic Games

Vincent Thian / AP Photo
Michael Phelps Competes at 2016 Summer Olympic Games

Michael Sohn / AP Photo
Thomas Daley Dives Into the 2020 Summer Olympic Games

Dmitri Lovetsky / AP Photo
Shaun White’s Victory at 2018 Winter Olympics

Gregory Bull / AP Photo
Jagger Eaton Street Skateboarding at 2020 Summer Olympic Games

Jae C. Hong / AP Photo
Ryan Murphy and Caeleb Dressel React at 2020 Summer Olympic Games

Gregory Bull / AP Photo
Sydney McLaughlin Competes at 2020 Summer Olympic Games

David J. Phillip / AP Photo
Niklas Edin Throws Stone at 2018 Winter Olympic Games

Natacha Pisarenko / AP Photo
Simone Biles Doing Her Thing at 2020 Summer Olympics

Gregory Bull / AP Photo
Kawan Figueredo Pereira Dives at 2020 Summer Olympics

Dmitri Lovetsky / AP Photo
Team Japan Victory at 2020 Summer Olympics

Jae C. Hong / AP Photo
Kevin Durant Celebrates at 2020 Summer Olympic Games

Eric Gay / AP Photo
Kerri Walsh Jennings and Misty May-Treanor Jumping for Joy at 2012 Summer Olympic Games

Jae C. Hong / AP Photo
Andy Murray Hugging Juan Martin del Potro at 2016 Summer Olympic Games

Charles Krupa / AP Photo
Archery Event at 2020 Summer Olympic Games

Jae C. Hong / AP Photo
Allyson Felix Shares a Moment With Her Daughter at 2020 Summer Olympic Games

Ashley Landis / AP Photo
Chloe Kim Shows Excitement at 2022 Winter Olympic Games

Lee Jin-man / AP Photo
Women’s Soccer Team Dons Masks at 2020 Summer Olympic Games

Frank Gunn / The Canadian Press via AP Photo
Danell Leyva Competing on the Rings at 2016 Summer Olympic Games

Jeff Roberson / AP Photo
Carissa Moore Surfs in 2020 Summer Olympic Games

Francisco Seco / AP Photo
Lasha Talakhadze Weightlifting at 2020 Summer Olympic Games

Luca Bruno / AP Photo
Shaun White Gets Emotional at 2022 Winter Olympics

Lee Jin-man / AP Photo