The Aftermath of the "Miracle"

The events of the "Miracle on Ice" in the 1980 Winter Olympics were known by most Americans to be events larger than just a hockey tournament. After the 1970's, many Americans believed that there was a need for a boost in American confidence, and most of these Americans consider this to be that boost. The "Miracle" was considered to be the highlight of the Olympic Games and of the entire year, as the team was named the Sportsmen of the Year by Sports Illustrated. Images of this event were seen (and are still seen) in many aspects of American culture. In 1999, the win against the Soviet Union was considered to be the greatest sports event of the century by Sports Illustrated, ESPN, the IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) and many other aspects of sports media. The 2002 Winter Olympics-the first Winter Olympics in the United States since 1980-put large focus on the "Miracle on Ice" as the team reunited to light the Olympic cauldron and Herb Brooks returned to coach the United States, who won the Silver Medal that year. The "Miracle on Ice" continues to be the sports event that defines the United States.