Matt Shirvington counts down five of the most iconic Olympic photos after image of Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina goes viral

Sunrise host Matt Shirvington is also one of Australia’s most famous Olympians and on Thursday counted down five of the most iconic Games moments.

The countdown came after an image of Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina taken by AFP photographer Jerome Brouillet went viral when it appeared to show the Olympian floating in the air pointing at the sky.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Shirvo counts down the top five Olympic images.

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“The Olympic Games are filled with such captivating and magical moments from our athletes, it’s always incredible to see the most skilled photographers that capture that magic,” Shirvo, who competed in the Sydney 2000 Olympics, said.

“What about this? Gabriel Medina’s iconic image in Tahiti has entered Olympic folklore. It made me think of other iconic images.”

Sunrise’s Matt Shirvington counted down five of the most iconic Olympic photos on Thursday, after Gabriel Medina’s iconic Tahiti image. Sunrise’s Matt Shirvington counted down five of the most iconic Olympic photos on Thursday, after Gabriel Medina’s iconic Tahiti image.
Sunrise’s Matt Shirvington counted down five of the most iconic Olympic photos on Thursday, after Gabriel Medina’s iconic Tahiti image. Credit: Seven

Shirvo went on to name five of the greatest Olympic images of all time, beginning with photographs of Muhammad Ali waiting to receive his gold medal at the 1960 Games, and track athlete Bob Beamon competing in the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.

“What about this? Number one. An unknown 18-year-old Muhammad Ali stands alone on top of the podium awaiting his gold medal in 1960 — If only he knew the future ahead,” Shirvo said.

Muhammad Ali waiting to receive his gold medal at the 1960 Olympic Games. Muhammad Ali waiting to receive his gold medal at the 1960 Olympic Games.
Muhammad Ali waiting to receive his gold medal at the 1960 Olympic Games. Credit: Seven

“Number two, Bob Beamon, leapt into immortality with a (then) world-record long jump, 8.90m to land gold at the 1968 Olympics.

Bob Beamon, leapt into immortality with a world-record long jump, at the 1968 Olympics. Bob Beamon, leapt into immortality with a world-record long jump, at the 1968 Olympics.
Bob Beamon, leapt into immortality with a world-record long jump, at the 1968 Olympics. Credit: Seven

He then went on to describe an image of Soviet Union gymnast, Olga Korbut, who won four gold medals, including three at the 1972 Munich Games..

Korbut did ‘The Deadloop’ on the uneven bars, which saw her swing backward from a handstand position, release the bar, and performs a backflip before re-grasping the bar.

“Olga Korbut — that flip is now banned from competition because it was deemed too dangerous,” Shirvo said, showing a photo of Korbut performing on the uneven bars.

Soviet Union gymnast, Olga Korbut, won four gold medals, including three at the 1972 Munich Games, and one at the 1976 Montreal Games. Soviet Union gymnast, Olga Korbut, won four gold medals, including three at the 1972 Munich Games, and one at the 1976 Montreal Games.
Soviet Union gymnast, Olga Korbut, won four gold medals, including three at the 1972 Munich Games, and one at the 1976 Montreal Games. Credit: Seven

Chinese diver Fu Mingxia won gold at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, at just 13 and was captured in action.

“In 1992, (Barcelona) provided one of the most iconic backdrops during diving. This is laid-back 13-year-old Fu Mingxia winning gold in the 10m platform,” Shirvo said.

Fu Mingxia winning gold in the 10m platform at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Fu Mingxia winning gold in the 10m platform at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Fu Mingxia winning gold in the 10m platform at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Credit: Seven

Finally, Shirvo — who competed as a 100m and 200m sprinter — named an image of Usain Bolt at the 2016 Rio Olympics as his favourite.

Bolt has won the 100m gold medal three times at the Olympic Games, the first athlete to do so in that event.

Usain Bolt at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Usain Bolt at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Usain Bolt at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Credit: Seven

“My favourite — what about the Smiling Assassin in Rio 2016!” Bolt said.

“The greatest sprinter of all-time, the fastest man alive, Usain Bolt doing what he does best, leaving everyone in his wake.

“Just some incredible moments.

“I am sure there is plenty more to come.”

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