Shaunae Miller's Dive in the 2016 Rio Olympic Track and Field Games Created a Storm of Memes; But Who Else Did It? [PHOTOS]
Other athletes who dove for the medal
On Monday night, the entire world shook at the sight of Bahamas' Shaunae Miller diving for the 400-meter finish line at the Rio Olympics to take home the gold. She overtook US bet Allyson Felix by a mere 0.07 seconds.
The dramatic finish unfurled as Miller, 22, led most of the race, before defending Olympic champion Felix began to close in on the gap. Desperate on the final two-meter leg, Miller made a lunge, pulling her in with the gold at 49.44. It was her personal best and it left Felix with a silver.
It was a sight to remember at the race track - many cried foul and declared that Felix was robbed, even going so far to accuse Miller of being unethical. However, no thievery was afoot: as per rules, Miller had crossed the finish line torso-first.
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Memes abound
Needless to say, Twitter users spared no moment to take advantage of the hilarious memes the moment provided:
Me trying to save the semester every time. #ShaunaeMiller #Olympics pic.twitter.com/XbqbPjm6R1
— 9GAG (@9GAG) August 16, 2016
Shaunae Miller diving for #gold like #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/tRqyu5O3vw — Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) August 16, 2016
Allyson Felix when she's standing next to Shaunae Miller on the podium. pic.twitter.com/M2jynMA6ve
— Michael Blackmon (@blackmon) August 16, 2016
Shaunae Miller diving for that gold. pic.twitter.com/fBjoEQlz1n — ThePostGame.com (@ThePostGame) August 16, 2016
Who else did it?
Of course, Miller also had her defenders as well. Michael Johnson, former 200 and 400-meter Olympic champion, took it to Twitter to say that the best sprinters know that a well-timed lean is the best way to win.
Diving isn't actually uncommon on the race track. Here are a few track moments that would come to Miller's defense:
Brazilian Joao Vitor de Oliveira dove to the finish to take fourth place in the preliminaries of the 110m hurdles, earning him a spot in the semis.
CAUTION
Track is slippery when wet. #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/rdZ2yoe6QQ
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) August 16, 2016
Fellow hurdler Jeffrey Porter dove for the finish line at the 2012 US Olympic Track Trials to take his competitor out by 0.06 seconds.
Jeffrey Porter, of Somerset, N.J., made team with dive at wire http://t.co/OTLBsS8b #TeamUSA #Olympics #London2012
— East River Runner (@eastriverrunner) July 16, 2012
USA's David Neville also dove for the bronze in the 2008 Olympics and won by 0.004 seconds.
2008: #USA's Neville dove past #BAH's Brown for #bronze.
2016: #BAH's Miller dove past #USA's Felix for #gold. https://t.co/sGnvreZNVJ
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) August 16, 2016
