Matthias Steiner wins an emotional gold at Beijing 2008 | Epic Olympic Moments

Matthias Steiner - Countdown to Rio 2016 - 31 Iconic Olympic Moments

After winning gold in the Men's +105kg Weightlifting competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, Matthias Steiner dedicated his win to his late wife.

As we countdown to Rio 2016, we're taking a look back at 31 iconic moments from Olympic history.

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[nooneinteresting]

Almost gets me everytime. The emotion was so pure. It always is when you win a gold, but none more pure than this one.

[dreastyork]

Congratulations Matthias, your wife is looking down on you with a big smile.

[earl]

One of the most memorable moments of the Beijing games. I'm German-Canadian so it was nice to see a fellow German win gold, so sad that his wife passed away the year before.

[krischan]

Once upon a time, Matthias Steiner was the strongest and the happiest man in the world. Once upon a time. He had a resource which noone else could tap on, the power of love. Sometimes it needs more than strength to be the strongest.

[LOSTEpisodesForFree]

Why is this not the most watched video on youtube

[CharlieAlvarezJ]

0:46 that is pure Extasy, joy and happiness. It is so emotive I feel really happy for him, he is incredibly strong not only physically but also spiritually

[haritjanoti]

His wife's story- In 2004, a German woman from Zwickau in Saxony had watched Steiner participating in weightlifting contests on TV. She kept asking the Eurosport commentators for his email address, until they gave it to her. She contacted Steiner, and he agreed to meet her in Lower Austria. They married shortly thereafter and hence he moved to Germany, where he then applied for German citizenship. On 16 July 2007, his wife, Susann, died in a car accident. He stood on the medalists' podium with a photo of his late wife, who would otherwise have accompanied him to the Games.

Edit: After 3 months of winning this, ( he must have received fame in Germany), he met a pretty German anchor and married her in 2010. If men have money & success they can find love again.

[HittokiriBattousai]

He channeled his wife's terrible tragedy into pure success, both mental and physical, and turned into positive growth. What a boss!

[Deena]

I just cried my eyes out watching this video, it was so moving. This is why I love the Olympics, never give in the face adversity and personal tragedy. What a great Olympian

[Aljohara_Alhajri]

That’s so sweet 😢 he is very loyalty to his wife 🤍 love from Kuwait 🇰🇼

[quinn]

I can watch this 100 times and it still gives me chills

[soulful]

I keep on finding my self tearing up at this video.
It always gets me wondering if I will ever experience such an emotion, if I will ever feel so happy about my accomplishments.
His reaction just shows how much he has been through and how hard he worked for this.

[JstChrxz]

I think everyone was cheering for him even his opponent

[MarkSmithhhh]

You can literally see his body JUST about to fail...just slightly wavering and you can physically see him dig deep for that very last and the weight just shot up...a millisecond thought of his wife...

[runningsushiroll]

Who tf and why would anyone dislike this video -_-

[KidsPlayingSoldiers]

The tears are real! Moments like these are why I watch the Olympics! So beautiful!

[megamanxv]

I remember watching this and cheering him on to win...but little did I know about his backstory which made this moment more emotional...strongest heart and soul I have ever seen

[linaburfeind]

This is unbelievable this video made me cry

[stevenboa]

One the most memorable and beautiful moments to me in any sports.

[tashaenadekle]

Such raw emotions. Literally can’t stop the tears.