Greatest Winter Olympics Moments Revealed in New Study
A comprehensive new study has unveiled the most memorable moments from the history of the Winter Olympic Games, with British ice dancers Torvill and Dean securing the top position for their legendary Boléro performance.
The research, commissioned by Samsung UK & Ireland, highlights iconic sporting achievements that have captivated audiences worldwide. Torvill and Dean's unforgettable routine at the Sarajevo 1984 Games drew over 24 million viewers in the UK alone, making it one of the most-watched television events in British history.
Iconic British Triumphs and Global Highlights
Other standout moments from the study include Eddie the Eagle's celebrated ski jump at Calgary 1988 and Amy Williams's dramatic gold medal victory in Vancouver 2010, which ended a 30-year wait for a solo gold for Team GB. Lizzy Yarnold's back-to-back skeleton titles in Sochi 2014 and PyeongChang 2018 also ranked highly among respondents.
The top 20 list features a diverse range of Winter Olympics highlights, including Team GB's women's curling gold at Sochi 2014, Shaun White's iconic snowboard halfpipe runs in Vancouver 2010, and the legendary "Miracle on Ice" ice hockey upset from 1980 when the USA defeated the Soviet Union.
Why These Moments Resonate with Fans
According to the study, fans are drawn to these top Winter Olympics moments not just for the athletic results, but for the compelling stories behind them. Forty percent of respondents cited moving narratives as a key factor, while 38 percent highlighted the resilience demonstrated by athletes. Additionally, 21 percent tune in specifically for the storytelling aspect of the Games.
The research also reveals that 37 percent of people plan to watch more of the upcoming 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games than they did the Beijing 2022 edition. Motivations for watching include supporting Team GB (30 percent), feeling uplifted and inspired (25 percent), and finding motivation to challenge themselves (16 percent).
Emotional Impact and Personal Connections
Three in ten past Winter Olympics viewers reported being moved to emotion by what they witnessed. Key triggers included seeing athletes achieve their dreams (28 percent), underdog stories (27 percent), and watching competitors overcome setbacks (23 percent).
The study also explored broader attitudes toward personal achievement, with 81 percent agreeing that it's important to recognize small wins in everyday life. Sixty-one percent said photos and videos of personal progress help them appreciate how far they've come, while 45 percent believe celebrating everyday wins boosts mood and positivity.
Samsung's Partnership and Athlete Perspectives
Samsung UK & Ireland, which gifted its Galaxy Z Flip7 Olympic Edition phone to 3,800 athletes, commissioned the research as part of its partnership with the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games. Annika Bizon, mobile experience vice president for Samsung, emphasized the importance of sharing athletes' journeys.
"What's changing now is that athletes don't have to wait," Bizon said. "They can bring us along for the messy middle – the progress, the setbacks, the small breakthroughs that don't look like much but feel like everything in the moment."
Team Samsung Galaxy athlete Txema Mazet-Brown added: "A lot of people only see what happens on competition day, but for me it's the progress that happens every day that really matters. Those small wins are what build your confidence over time and give you the belief to take the next step."
Top 20 Winter Olympics Moments
- Torvill & Dean's Boléro (Sarajevo 1984)
- Eddie the Eagle's ski jump (Calgary 1988)
- The Jamaican bobsleigh team debut (Calgary 1988)
- Team GB women's curling gold (Sochi 2014)
- Amy Williams winning Team GB's first solo gold in 30 years (Vancouver 2010)
- Lizzy Yarnold back-to-back gold skeleton titles (Sochi 2014 and PyeongChang 2018)
- "Miracle on Ice" ice hockey upset (USA beating Soviet Union in 1980)
- Team GB men's curling silver (Salt Lake City 2002)
- Chloe Kim's record-breaking halfpipe win (Beijing 2022)
- Jenny Jones' snowboard slopestyle bronze – GB's first medal on snow (Sochi 2014)
- Shaun White's iconic snowboard halfpipe runs (Vancouver 2010)
- Shaun White's comeback gold in the halfpipe (PyeongChang 2018)
- Ester Ledecká winning in both skiing and snowboarding (PyeongChang 2018)
- Hermann "The Herminator" Maier's crash and comeback triumphs (Nagano 1998)
- Yuzuru Hanyu's legendary figure skating performances (PyeongChang 2018)
- Steven Bradbury's last corner short track gold (Salt Lake City 2002)
- Eric Heiden's clean sweep of five speed skating golds (Lake Placid 1980)
- Shelly Rudman's breakthrough skeleton silver (Turin 2006)
- Izzy Atkin's freestyle skiing bronze (PyeongChang 2018)
- Chemmy Alcott's comeback performances (Sochi 2014)
The study was conducted by OnePoll.com and surveyed a representative sample of Winter Olympics viewers across the UK.
