Every Olympic Games creates new heroes, new heartbreaks, and new stories that live forever. But sometimes, the most unexpected comeback belongs not to an athlete — but to a song.
A perfectly placed track in a montage, medal ceremony, or viral clip can send a decades-old tune rocketing back up the charts. Suddenly, a new generation discovers an artist they never knew they needed, and longtime fans feel that familiar spark all over again.
These ten songs didn’t just soundtrack the Olympics — they reignited them.
1. Donna Summer — “MacArthur Park” (2026, Figure Skating — Alysa Liu)
At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Alysa Liu delivered one of the most talked‑about free skates of the entire Games — a bold, theatrical program set to Donna Summer’s “MacArthur Park.” It was the kind of music choice that instantly set her apart. The disco‑opera drama gave her room to be both powerful and playful, and the sweeping orchestration matched her signature mix of athletic fire and artistic warmth. When she landed her final jump combination, the arena erupted, and the clip spread across social media within hours. Suddenly, a whole new generation was discovering Donna Summer’s fearless brilliance, and “MacArthur Park” surged back into public consciousness as if it had been waiting for this exact moment to bloom again.
2. Queen — “Don’t Stop Me Now” (2012, Track & Field — Usain Bolt)
Usain Bolt’s electrifying 2012 London 100m victory lap synced perfectly with “Don’t Stop Me Now” blasting through the stadium speakers. The moment went viral worldwide — the fastest man alive paired with one of the most unstoppable songs ever recorded. Queen’s streams skyrocketed, especially among Gen Z fans who suddenly realized the song was more than a meme — it was a masterpiece of momentum.
3. Whitney Houston — “One Moment in Time” (1988 & 2024, Gymnastics — Jordan Chiles)
Originally written for the 1988 Seoul Games, Whitney’s anthem returned to prominence when Jordan Chiles used it in a 2024 Paris profile piece. The emotional arc of her comeback — setbacks, resilience, redemption — made the song feel newly prophetic. Whitney’s voice soared across broadcasts, reminding the world what striving for greatness truly sounds like.
4. ABBA — “The Winner Takes It All” (2022, Figure Skating — Kamila Valieva)
In Beijing 2022, a montage covering Kamila Valieva’s dramatic rise and fall used ABBA’s heartbreak‑laced ballad to underscore the emotional complexity of the moment. The contrast between glittering pop perfection and raw athletic vulnerability made the song feel painfully current. Streams surged, and ABBA found themselves back in the cultural conversation yet again.
5. Bruce Springsteen — “Born to Run” (2016, Marathon — Eliud Kipchoge)
During the Rio 2016 marathon broadcast, NBC used “Born to Run” in a feature on Eliud Kipchoge’s disciplined, almost spiritual approach to distance running. The pairing was unexpected but perfect — the Boss’s restless energy meeting Kipchoge’s relentless drive. The segment went viral, and suddenly Springsteen was appearing on training playlists for runners half his age.
6. Celine Dion — “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” (2022, Pairs Skating — Mishina & Galliamov)
Russian pair Anastasia Mishina and Aleksandr Galliamov delivered a dramatic exhibition skate to Celine’s power ballad in 2022, and the internet collectively melted. Every lift, twist, and crescendo felt cinematic. The clip spread across social media, and Celine’s catalog saw a massive spike — a reminder of her unmatched emotional force.
7. Phil Collins — “In the Air Tonight” (2008, Swimming — Michael Phelps)
During the 2008 Beijing Games, NBC used the iconic drum break in a slow‑motion montage of Michael Phelps’ record‑shattering eight‑gold‑medal run. The pairing became one of the most replayed Olympic promos of the decade. New fans discovered the song; older fans rediscovered their goosebumps. Phil Collins became the unexpected soundtrack of Olympic intensity.
8. Gloria Estefan — “Reach” (1996 & 2016, Gymnastics — Laurie Hernandez)
Originally written for the 1996 Atlanta Games, “Reach” found new life when Laurie Hernandez cited it as one of the songs that inspired her during her 2016 Rio journey. NBC used the track in a feature about her joyful, expressive style, and suddenly Gloria Estefan’s Olympic anthem was trending again — a reminder of its timeless message of striving and soaring.
9. Fleetwood Mac — “Dreams” (2020, Training Montage — Simone Biles)
In the lead‑up to the Tokyo 2020 Games, a serene NBC montage of Simone Biles training at dawn used “Dreams” as its backdrop. The calm, hypnotic vibe contrasted beautifully with her explosive athleticism. The clip went viral, adding yet another chapter to the song’s long history of unexpected resurgences.
10. Olivia Newton‑John — “Magic” (2024, Artistic Swimming — Team Australia)
At the 2024 Paris Games, Australia’s artistic swimming team performed a routine set to Olivia Newton‑John’s “Magic,” creating a dreamy, ethereal moment that captivated viewers. The performance went viral, and suddenly Olivia’s catalog — especially her Xanadu‑era tracks — saw a massive spike in streams. It was a beautiful reminder of her warmth, glow, and unmistakable voice.
Why These Olympic Music Moments Matter
A song doesn’t just accompany an Olympic moment — it elevates it. And when the world watches together, a single performance can breathe new life into a classic track, reintroducing legendary artists to millions who weren’t even born when the song first charted.
These ten songs didn’t just return.
They rose again — carried by athletes who understood their power.
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