Au revoir, Paris: The most heartbreaking moments in Olympic history

The 2024 Paris Olympics are wrapped up, with many athletes' dreams being fulfilled, representing their countries and winning medals. However, in some cases, the Games have been known to break athletes and give them the most heartbreaking moments in their lives.

These are the most heartbreaking moments in Olympic history.

Muhammed Ali was one of the most iconic athletes in the 20th century, known for charisma, larger-than-life character, and elite boxing ability. His public appearance in 1996 left everyone emotional.

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Ali was handed over the Olympic Torch at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, but the world was left heartbroken when his body was trembling from his serious case of Parkinson's disease that he likely got from his pursuit of boxing greatness.

One year after losing his wife in a car crash, Matthias Steiner defied the odds and lifted his only Olympic Gold medal at the Beijing Olympics.

To win the gold, Steiner had to beat his personal best by ten kilograms on his final lift, and when he did, Steiner collapsed to the floor in teary emotion. He held a picture of his wife up when he received the medal.

While running in a 400m semi-final heat at the 1992 Olympics, British sprinter Derek Redmond pulled up in agony just over halfway round. What happened next was one of the most tear-jerking moments in sporting history.

Redmond waved off medical attention to complete the race, but after being in discomfort, Derek's dad, Tim, emotionally helped him across the finish line in front of the world.

British marathon runner Paula Radcliffe is perhaps the greatest women's marathon runner ever, and the 2004 Olympics was her best chance of winning an Olympic Gold.

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With about three miles left in the Greek heat, Radcliffe had to pull out after pulling up with a leg injury. In a heartbreaking moment, Radcliffe sat on a grass bank and cried, knowing her Olympic dreams were over.

Olympic weightlifter Janos Baranyai had a heartbreaking moment at the 2008 Olympics, dislocating his elbow after attempting to lift 326 pounds over his head.

The sound of his pain echoed around the arena as the agony of 326 pounds landing on you became apparent to everyone watching. Luckily, he was able to make a full recovery.

After four years of working to make the Olympics, USA heptathlon athlete Chari Hawkins made a costly mistake that ruined her Games in the opening heptathlon event, breaking her down into tears.

Hawkins was given a 'no heightened' score in the high jump after failing to complete the 1.71m mark. That had come after she didn't want the points for her previous jumps, meaning she finished with no points. On Instagram, she wrote: "I have never watched my own heartbreak before." She finished 21st out of 23.

Sprinter Liu Xiang was China's national icon going into their home Olympics in 2008 after his gold medal success in Athens 2004.

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Right before he was supposed to win gold again in the 110m hurdles, Xiang walked off the start line due to an Achilles injury. His actions shocked China, leaving people in the stands crying and heartbroken that he couldn't compete.