Stu Forster/Getty Images, P PAVANI/AFP/Getty Images, Adam Pretty/Getty Images, IOP/AFP/Getty ImagesAs we all know by now, the Olympics can be a very emotional experience.
During the 2016 Rio Games, we've already seen a number of athletes cry their hearts out in front of the world, either because of a heartbreaking loss or the overwhelming joy of claiming victory. But let's be real, these global sports stars aren't the only ones who find themselves in need of a tissue during the competitions.
Since what feels like the beginning of the Olympics, viewers have found themselves emotionally invested in the athletes who compete in honor of their respective countries, and when certain outcomes occur that cause these Olympians to break down in tears, we're right there with them.
In fact, here are eight examples of past Olympic moments that definitely made us get a bit teary-eyed:
1. Derek Redmond: At the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Redmond had qualified for the semifinal of the 400m with the fastest time in his heat and was therefore a hopeful for the gold. However, something went terribly wrong at the beginning of the race, and the British athlete ended up tearing his hamstring. With the agony clear on his face, Redmond continued to hobble his way to the finish line, with the help of his father, Jim Redmond, who rushed to the track to help his son finish the race.
2. Tyson Gay: The Team USA sprinter walked away empty-handed in 2012 when he finished fourth in the 100-meter final that was dominated by Usain Bolt. But the biggest heartbreak? Gay lost the medal by a hair, finishing 0.01 seconds behind. "I tried, man," Gay said at the time as tears streamed down his face. "I tried my best."
3. Tiffany Foster: In 2008, the Canadian equestrian suffered a devastating injury when she fell off her horse and broke her back. After recovering from the difficult setback, Foster continued to fight for the gold in London 2012, however, she ended up getting disqualified from the event due to her horse's front leg being deemed hypersensitive. At the time, Foster said, "I've come back from bigger setbacks in my career, and I know I can overcome this."
4. Canada Women's Soccer Team: Whether it was happy tears for Team USA or sadness for Team Canada, these female athletes gave it their all for two hours on the field back in 2012 during the semifinals, and ultimately, Canada lost 4-3. "I just don't think any of us could believe what happened, honestly," and emotional Melissa Tancredi said at the time. "We didn't want to leave because we couldn't believe what happened. That was our win. That was our game to have, and it was just taken away."
5. Lindsey Jacobellis: In 2006, the American snowboarder had an overwhelming lead heading into the final two jumps of the course, but fell off the first jump and ended up taking the silver instead. That hurt, but what may have hurt even more is what happened in 2010. Jacobellis competed in the Vancouver Games, but didn't even make it to the finals after hitting a gate during the semifinals.
6. Liu Xiang: The Chinese hurdler was ready to claim the gold once again, but a suspected achilies injury crushed his dreams of claiming the medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic games, which drew tears from everyone, including the announcer.
7. Ryan Lochte: Despite having a 0.03 seconds lead during the 4x100 freestyle relay in the 2012 London Olympic games, the American swimmer couldn't stay ahead of his French competitor Yannick Agnel in the final lap of the race and blew the lead for Team USA.
8. Kerri Strug: Probably one of the most memorable Olympic moments happened in 1996 during the Summer Games in Atlanta, when American gymnast Kerri Strug proved that nothing was going to stop her from winning the gold for her team. During her vault competition, Strug noticeably injured her ankle, but limped back to the start to give her run another go, and whaddya know? She landed it like a boss.