Usain Bolt pips Team GB legends Mo Farah and Tom Daley to win ‘best moment in Olympics history’ in new vote

USAIN Bolt’s triple gold win in Beijing in 2008 is the best moment in the history of the Olympic Games, according to research.

The Jamaican runner stunned spectators when he placed first in the men’s 100m sprint, followed by the 200m and the 4x100m relay, breaking the world record in all three events.

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Research polling 2,000 UK adults revealed the top 20 moments from the major sporting event that comes around every four years, including Team GB’s Mo Farah’s double gold in 2012 on home soil.

Also in the list was Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards’ 1988 appearance as the first Team GB competitor in ski jumping, as well as Tom Daley diving for gold in 2020 and Michael Phelps’ eight gold medals in 2008 in Athens.

The research revealed 64 per cent plan to watch the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on TV, with athletics (55 per cent), swimming (38 per cent) and football (31 per cent) the top three events most likely to be tuned into.

Catherine O’Kelly, managing director at British Gas Energy, which commissioned the study and is a proud partner of Team GB and ParalympicsGB, said: “This summer is a really exciting moment for sport and Paris 2024 is set to be a huge part of that.

“The Games always bring great moments to be remembered, and people remember where they were to witness them.

“They are also a great opportunity to get people together and watch something where there’s lots going on and something for everyone to enjoy.”

The study found 37 per cent who watch the iconic sporting event like to do so to cheer on Team GB, while 36 per cent enjoy the variety of events taking place.

More than a third (34 per cent) enjoy seeing all the countries compete, and a further 34 per cent like seeing sports that don’t usually get much TV airtime.

For TV viewers specifically, 83 per cent will be enjoying it in the comfort of their own home, while others plan to get together at a friend or family member’s home or at the pub (both 17 per cent).

As a result of this year’s ‘summer of sport’, 33 per cent reckon they’ll be watching more TV than usual during the warmer months, averaging at 12 and a half hours each week – the equivalent to watching eight football matches back-to-back, with an extra time session thrown in.

And one in five Olympic Games fans will only switch on their TVs when Team GB are competing. 

Despite typically seeing their energy use dip over the summer, 32 per cent will be thinking about their energy use more because of how much they’ll use tuning into Paris 2024.

The study, conducted via OnePoll, also found 29 per cent don’t consider themselves sporty but will watch the Olympic Games when it’s on.

Catherine O’Kelly for British Gas Energy, which is offering its PeakSave customers half price electricity on Sundays throughout the summer – with extended hours and two Saturdays included on key sporting days, added: “There is a lot of sport to be watched this summer and we’re excited to be part of that through our partnership with Team GB and ParalympicsGB.

“We hope people enjoy their weekends of sport, and that our electricity offer adds to that excitement for those customers involved.”