February is an exciting month for sports fans, featuring the NBA and NHL seasons, the Super Bowl, the NBA All-Star Game, college basketball tournaments, MLB spring training, NASCAR’s Daytona 500, Formula E, PGA Tour events, and the Winter Olympics. February 24 has seen many memorable moments in sports history. Here are some highlights:
– 1932: Malcolm Campbell set the world land speed record at 253.96 mph in his Blue Bird car at Daytona Beach, Florida.
– 1952: Norway’s Arnfinn Bergmann won gold in men’s ski jumping at the Oslo Winter Olympics, with teammate Torbjorn Falkanger taking silver.
– 1960: Austria’s Ernst Hintersteiner won gold in men’s slalom at the Squaw Valley Winter Olympics, followed by teammate Hias Leitner.
– 1963: Tiny Lund won the fifth Daytona 500, completing the race with just four pit stops.
– 1968: Gary Unger began his NHL record of 914 consecutive games.
– 1974: Atje Keulen-Deelstra became the Women’s Allround World Champion in speed skating for the third time.
– 1978: Kevin Porter set an NBA record with 29 assists in a single game.
– 1980: The USA ice hockey team won gold at the Lake Placid Winter Olympics, defeating Finland 4-2.
– 1982: The Boston Celtics kicked off an 18-game winning streak, and Wayne Gretzky scored his 78th goal of the season.
– 1989: Roberto Duran won his fourth world title in boxing, beating Iran Barkley.
– 2002: Canada claimed the men’s ice hockey Olympic gold by defeating the USA 5-2.
– 2020: A memorial service for Lakers legend Kobe Bryant was held at the Staples Center after his tragic passing.
Three standout athletes from February 24 are Gary Unger, Kevin Porter, and Matti Nykanen, each leaving a significant mark in their sports.
