Nawal El Moutawakel's historic 1984 Olympic 400m hurdles win continues to resonate today. The first Muslim, African, Arab, and Moroccan woman to strike Olympic gold, her win revolutionized sport and opened opportunities for girls and women worldwide, especially in North Africa.

El Moutawakel broke barriers by the simple yet profound act of wearing shorts.

Parry O'Brien won the 1952 and '56 Olympic shot put golds, with silver to follow in '60 and a 4th place finish in 1964.

O'Brien transformed his sport by inventing "The Gilde" and was the first shot putter to make use of the entire ring. He is to shot putting what Dick Fosbury is to the high jump.

O'Brien set the world record an astonishing 17 times, though only 10 were ratified as some came in a series (more than one world record in one competition).

Most memorably, O'Brien broke the 60' barrier. But when he did it was of note: May 8, 1954 - two days after Roger Bannister ran the first sub-4:00 minute mile! 

For an account of my conversations with El Moutawakel and O'Brien at the Legends of Gold Banquet, please see:

Legends of Gold 

Al Oerter is one of the greatest athletes in Olympic history. The first to win four consecutive gold medals in an individual event, he won the discus in 1956, '60, '64, and '68. He also set the world record and was the first to break the 200' barrier.