(WCMH) — The 2022 Winter Olympics begin Feb. 3 and NBC is looking back at some of the most iconic moments by U.S. athletes along with the voices of the announcers who broadcast these historic wins.
The spot begins with a clip from the 1980 Olympics men’s ice hockey tournament held in Lake Placid where the Soviet Union was heavily favored to win. In a dramatic upset, the U.S. bested the Soviets 4–3 in a game that became known as the “Miracle on Ice.” In the last seconds of play, legendary NBC announcer Al Michaels is heard delivering his famous call, “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!”
Figure skater Sarah Hughes’ 2002 gold medal moment in Salt Lake City is the second competition to be highlighted in the promotion. As the then 16-year-old finishes her routine, announcer Tony Hammond, triumphantly proclaims, “Sarah Hughes just brought the house down!”
Hughes’ victory was one that came from behind after landing in fourth place after her short program. After an emotionally rousing clean free skate, Hughes ascended to the top of the podium over household names Michelle Kwan, who took the bronze, and Sasha Cohen, who placed fourth overall. Russian Irina Slutskaya won silver.
LAKE PLACID, NY – FEB 22: Team USA celebrates their 4-3 victory over the Soviet Union in the semi-final Men’s Ice Hockey event at the Winter Olympic Games in Lake Placid, New York on February 22, 1980. The game was dubbed “the Miracle on Ice”. The USA went on to win the gold medal by defeating Finland 4-2 in the gold medal game. (Photo by Steve Powell /Getty Images)
(L to R) US gold medalist Sarah Hughes waves on the podium after the women’s figure skating event at the Olympic Ice Center, 21 February 2002 during the XIXth Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Silver medalist is Russian Irina Slutskaya, US favourit Michelle Kwan fell during her program and took bronze. AFP PHOTO JACQUES DEMARTHON (Photo by JACQUES DEMARTHON / AFP) (Photo by JACQUES DEMARTHON/AFP via Getty Images)
(L to R) US gold medalist Sarah Hughes listens to the national anthem on the podium after the women’s figure skating event at the Olympic Ice Center, 21 February 2002 during the XIXth Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Silver medalist is Russian Irina Slutskaya, US favourit Michelle Kwan fell during her program and took bronze. AFP PHOTO JACQUES DEMARTHON (Photo by JACQUES DEMARTHON / AFP) (Photo by JACQUES DEMARTHON/AFP via Getty Images)
Anton Apolo Ohno (L) from the US leads the pack as Arian Nachbar (C) from Germany and Cees Juffermans from Netherlands give chase during the quarterfinals of the Men’s 500m at the 2002 Short Track Speed Skating Olympic qualifying competition at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, 26 October 2001. Ohno finished first in this race but failed to move past the semifinals. Salt Lake City will be the host of the 2002 Winter Olympics. AFP PHOTO/George FREY (Photo by GEORGE FREY / AFP) (Photo credit should read GEORGE FREY/AFP via Getty Images)
Anton Apolo Ohno from the US skates to a first place finish during the finals of the Men’s 1500m at the 2002 Short Track Speed Skating Olympic Qualifying Competition at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, 25 October 2001. Salt Lake City will be the host of the 2002 Winter Olympics. AFP PHOTO/George FREY (Photo by GEORGE FREY / AFP) (Photo credit should read GEORGE FREY/AFP via Getty Images)
US skier Lindsay Vonn takes a picture backstage as she waits before marching during the closing ceremony at the BC Place in Vancouver, on the last day of the 2010 Winter Olympics on February 28, 2010. AFP PHOTO / MARTIN BUREAU (Photo credit should read MARTIN BUREAU/AFP via Getty Images)
PYEONGCHANG-GUN, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 17: Jessica Diggins of the United States competes during the Ladies’ 4x5km Relay on day eight of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Alpensia Cross-Country Centre on February 17, 2018 in Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
PYEONGCHANG-GUN, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 17: Jessica Diggins of the United States competes during the Ladies’ 4x5km Relay on day eight of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Alpensia Cross-Country Centre on February 17, 2018 in Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
TOPSHOT – USA’s Mikaela Shiffrin competes in the Women’s Alpine Combined Downhill at the Jeongseon Alpine Center during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang on February 22, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images)
PYEONGCHANG-GUN, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 22: Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States competes during the Ladies’ Alpine Combined on day thirteen of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Yongpyong Alpine Centre on February 22, 2018 in Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
TOPSHOT – USA’s Mikaela Shiffrin celebrates on the podium during the victory ceremony of the Women’s Alpine Combined Slalom at the Jeongseon Alpine Center during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang on February 22, 2018. (Photo by Martin BERNETTI / AFP) (Photo by MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP via Getty Images)
PYEONGCHANG-GUN, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 22: Silver medalist, Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States celebrates on the podium during the Ladies’ Alpine Combined on day thirteen of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Yongpyong Alpine Centre on February 22, 2018 in Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)
PYEONGCHANG-GUN, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 22: Silver medalist, Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States celebrates on the podium during the Ladies’ Alpine Combined on day thirteen of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Yongpyong Alpine Centre on February 22, 2018 in Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
PYEONGCHANG-GUN, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 14: Gold medalist Shaun White of the United States celebrates during the Snowboard Men’s Halfpipe Final on day five of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics at Phoenix Snow Park on February 14, 2018 in Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
PYEONGCHANG-GUN, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 14: Shaun White of USA takes 1st place during the Snowboarding Men’s Halfpipe Finals at Pheonix Snow Park on February 14, 2018 in Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea. (Photo by Laurent Salino/Agence Zoom/Getty Images)
PYEONGCHANG-GUN, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 14: Gold medalist Shaun White of the United States shows his emotion during the victory ceremony for the Snowboard Men’s Halfpipe Final on day five of the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics at Phoenix Snow Park on February 14, 2018 in Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
USA’s gold medallist Shaun White poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for the men’s snowboard halfpipe at the Pyeongchang Medals Plaza during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang on February 14, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Martin BUREAU (Photo credit should read MARTIN BUREAU/AFP via Getty Images)
PYEONGCHANG-GUN, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 14: Gold medalist Shaun White of the United States poses during the medal ceremony for the Snowboard Men’s Halfpipe Final on day five of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics at Medal Plaza on February 14, 2018 in Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)
The spot continues to move forward in Olympic history with a clip of speed skater Apolo Ohno cruising up to the finish line at the 2006 games in Turin, as an announcer declares, “And it is gold for Ohno!”
Ohno’s segment is followed by a snippet of alpine skier Lindsey Vonn flying down a hill in victory during the 2010 games, with the announcer’s celebratory words, “Lindsey Vonn into the lead!”
Vonn became the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in downhill that year in Vancouver.
Next up is cross-country skier Jessie Diggins, coming from the outside to win in PyeongChang in 2018. In a hoarse scream an announcer calls, “Here comes Diggins!” followed by, “Oh, what a moment!”
Along with teammate Kikkan Randall, Diggins won the first Olympic gold medal for the U.S. in cross-country skiing in the women’s team sprint in 2018.
Then, Diggins’ victory celebration dissolves to a white screen with the words “experience history,” which transitions to alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin’s gold medal win at PyeongChang and a second clip of Shiffrin triumphantly holding up an American flag, as Dan Hicks is heard saying, “Gold for Mikaela Shiffrin.”
The final two shots featuring an athlete are of snowboarder Shaun White in PyeongChang. White gets some major air on the halfpipe, then in another shot, throws up his board up and cheers at winning gold as the announcer, using dramatic pauses, states, “Shaun White takes the gold!”