Last Updated on April 28, 2025 by Colby Droscher
The Olympics have always been a celebration of human achievement and the pursuit of excellence. As the world gathers to witness history in the making every few years, the games leave behind unforgettable moments that transcend time. While black-and-white photographs from the early 20th century capture these monumental events, colorized images bring a new outlook to these iconic moments. As we step back into the rich history of the Olympics from the 1900s to the 1970s, we uncover 20 colorized photos from the Olympics that bring the athletes, crowds, and unforgettable moments to life.
1. Luz Long conversing with Jesse Owens during the Berlin Olympics, 1936
During the ’36 Olympics, Jesse Owens was struggling with his long jump and his German competitor Luz Long gave him advice to avoid fouling again.
2. Swedish high jumper Gunhild Larking, 1956
Larking placed 4th at the ’56 Olympics, placing her just short of a medal.
3. Barbara Ann Scott, 1948
Scott would go on to win the Olympic title at the 1948 games in St. Moritz. She still holds Canada’s only Olympic title in women’s singles figure skating.
4. Johnny Weissmüller, 1920s
Johnny Weissmüller was undefeated in every individual swimming race he entered during his amateur career. He won 5 Olympic gold medals in swimming, and 1 bronze in water polo.
5. Jim Thorpe, 1912
The reason for his odd socks in this photo is that his running shoes were stolen, so he took a pair that someone had thrown in the trash and doubled up on socks so they would fit him.
6. Jesse Owens, 1936
Owens won four gold medals at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.
7. Gunhild Larking, 1956
Larking jumped 1.67 meters at the ’56 Olympics, which is about 5 feet 6 inches.
8. Coca-Cola vending at the Helsinki Summer Olympics, 1952
These French athletes look like they were caught red-handed supporting an American soda brand.
9. Nadia Comaneci, 1976
This photo was taken on her way to the first ever 10 score. She was just 14 at the time.
10. The British 4x100m swimming relay, 1912
This is the team that won the 4x100m relay in Stockholm in 1912.
11. Sir Roger Gilbert Bannister, 1954
Sir Roger Gilbert Bannister was the first athlete to run a sub-4-minute mile.
12. George Foreman, 1968
George Foreman defeated Ion Alexe of Romania during the heavyweight quarterfinals in 1968. Foreman would go on to win a gold medal this year.
13. Before the invention of photo finishes
Before we had photographic evidence of who won, it took 22 people to confirm the final results for track athletes.
14. Wilma Rudolph, 1956
As a child, Wilma Rudolph was told she might never walk again after being diagnosed with polio. But she defied the odds and went on to win three gold medals in track and field at a single Olympic Games.
15. The birthplace of the Paralympic Games, 1948
Although the first official Paralympic Games took place in 1960, the idea began in 1948 in England, when wheelchair athletes competed in an archery event held alongside the opening of the 1948 Olympics.
