These Were the Biggest Moments for Women in Olympic History, Ranked

This article appeared in pensandpatron.com and has been published here with permission.

Every year that the Olympics take place, no matter if it’s the Summer or the Winter games, the world seems to go into a frenzy of excitement. However, the Olympics have not always been as equal as we’d like to think. These women not only accomplished monumental goals but many shattered glass ceilings with their first-time accomplishments.

40. Tonya Harding Lands a Triple Axel

Tonya Harding is nothing short of a controversial figure in sports now. While she's made history, she's also made headlines potentially linking her to the attack on Nancy Kerrigan.

Photo by David Madison/ // Getty Images

Yet, it would be an oversight to forget that she did, in fact, make history during her Olympic performance. She pulled off a move that took a lot of practice and dedication and became the first woman to land a triple axel. She's a two-time Olympian and Skate American Champion, although she's been stripped of some of her titles.

39. Lindsey Vonn Had an Illustrious Career

Lindsey Vonn is one of the most decorated athletes in alpine ski racing, much less even just one of the most decorated competitors in women's competitions.

Photo by Clive Mason // Getty Images

She won a gold medal in the 2010 Winter Olympics which was the first one won by an American woman. She's also won a total of four World Cup championships, an achievement only shared with one other woman, Annemarie Moser-Pröll. This only touches on her long list of wins and she holds a total of three Olympic medals.

38. Aly Raisman Is a Two-Time Gymnast

Aly Raisman is an athlete to watch out for at the Olympics. At only 26, she's made history as a gymnast and will go down in history as a fantastic competitor.

Instagram // @alyraisman

She competed in 2012, at the London Olympics, where she won gold medals for floor and team competitions and a bronze medal on the balance beam. In 2016, she and Gabby Douglass became the only Americans to earn consecutive team gold medals. Today, she is one of the most decorated gymnasts in the world.

37. Shawn Johnson, Gymnastics World Champion

Shawn Johnson, now known as Shawn Johnson East, is a gymnast that competed for the American team in the 2008 Olympics and was on the national team from 2004 to 2008 and 2011 to 2012.

Photo by Harry How // Getty Images

At the Olympics, she took the gold for the balance beam as well as silver medals for all-around, floor exercise, and team gymnastics. She's also a five-time gold medal winner at the Pan American Games and is the 2007 individual all-around World Champion.