Torvill and Dean's Boléro Crowned Greatest Winter Olympics Moment in New Study
A comprehensive new study has unveiled the most memorable moments in Winter Olympics history, with Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean's legendary Boléro ice dance performance at Sarajevo 1984 securing the top position. This iconic routine, which earned a perfect score and a gold medal, remains one of Britain's most celebrated sporting achievements, captivating over 24 million viewers in the UK and becoming one of the most-watched television events in the nation's history.
Iconic British Moments Dominate the Rankings
The research, commissioned by Samsung UK & Ireland, highlights several other unforgettable British performances. Eddie "the Eagle" Edwards's courageous ski jump at Calgary 1988 ranks highly, celebrated for its underdog spirit. Amy Williams's thrilling gold medal victory in skeleton at Vancouver 2010, which ended a 30-year drought for Team GB, also features prominently. Additionally, Lizzy Yarnold's consecutive skeleton gold medals at Sochi 2014 and PyeongChang 2018 are included in the top 20 list.
The study indicates that 37% of respondents plan to watch more of the upcoming 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games compared to the Beijing 2022 edition. This increased interest is driven by the powerful narratives and emotional resonance associated with Olympic moments.
Why These Moments Resonate with Fans
According to the survey, fans are drawn to Winter Olympics moments not solely for the results but for the compelling stories behind them. A significant 40% of respondents stated that moving narratives make moments memorable, while 38% highlighted resilience as a key factor. Furthermore, 21% tune in specifically to enjoy the storytelling aspect of the Games.
Annika Bizon, mobile experience vice president for Samsung, which gifted its Galaxy Z Flip7 Olympic Edition phone to 3,800 athletes, commented on the findings. "There's a reason we're obsessed with underdog stories at the Winter Games," she said. "They remind us that every glorious moment is built on thousands of unglamorous ones that never make it onto the highlight reel. Athletes 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."
Bizon added that Samsung's partnership with Milano Cortina 2026 is rooted in a belief in openness and the idea that every athlete's journey, regardless of scale, deserves recognition and celebration.
Emotional Impact and Motivations for Viewing
The study reveals that three in ten previous Winter Olympics viewers have been emotionally moved by what they witnessed. Key triggers include seeing an athlete finally achieve their dream (28%) and witnessing an underdog story triumph (27%).
Primary motivations for watching more of the Winter Olympics this year include supporting Team GB (30%) and seeking uplift and inspiration (25%). For 16% of respondents, observing elite athletes provides motivation to challenge themselves or explore new activities.
The research also underscores the importance of celebrating small victories in daily life. Eight in ten participants agree it's crucial to recognise minor wins, with 61% noting that photos and videos of personal progress help them appreciate their journey. Additionally, 45% believe celebrating everyday achievements boosts mood, 42% say it maintains positivity, and 41% find it builds confidence.
Anticipated Sports and Athlete Insights
For those eagerly awaiting the 2026 Games, the most popular sports to watch are figure skating (20%), ski jumping (20%), and bobsleigh (19%).
Txema Mazet-Brown, a Team Samsung Galaxy athlete, shared his perspective on the significance of daily progress. "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," he said. "It's landing something you've been working on, learning from a fall, or just turning up and putting the work in when things don't go perfectly. I've always felt like if you stay open to learning and keep pushing, things keep moving forward."
Mazet-Brown emphasised that small wins gradually build confidence and foster the belief necessary to take subsequent steps.
The Top 20 Greatest Winter Olympics Moments of All Time
- 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 4-3)
- 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 (e.g., 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 (e.g., 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 (e.g., Sochi 2014)
