Ten Terrific CGC-certified Cards from the Summer Olympic Games

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris are nearing their end, as the Closing Ceremony wraps things up on Sunday, August 11. For more than two weeks, the best athletes in the world came together in France to compete and bring glory to their respective countries. We've already seen numerous Olympic and world records set so far, and with a few days of events left, more could be on the way.

Team USA has had another strong performance in Paris, leading the overall medal count by double digits. In addition, on July 30, Team USA became the first country in Olympics history to surpass 3,000 medals across both the Summer and Winter Games.

To celebrate the 2024 Summer Olympics, we're revisiting some of the greatest American athletes to ever don the red, white and blue through some of their top CGC-certified cards.

Ten Terrific Cards of USA Olympians

1936 Kosmos Olympia #56 Jesse Owens - 100 Meter Race

Sport: Track & Field

1936 Olympics medal count: Gold medals (4)

Jesse Owens is one of the earliest and most historically important Americans to compete in the modern Olympics. Arguably the greatest track and field athlete ever, he won four gold medals at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin: 100 meters, 200 meters, 4 × 100-meter relay and the long jump. Released the same year, this black-and-white German sports card shows Owens crossing the finish line to win gold in the 100-meter race.

1971 Manama Stamp #1 Muhammad Ali - Great Olympic Champions

Sport: Boxing

1960 Olympics medal count: Gold medal (1)

This commemorative sports stamp was released in 1971, at the height of Ali's professional boxing career when he faced Joe Frazier for the first time in what was famously deemed the "Fight of the Century." However, the collectible paid tribute to Ali's earlier career when he still went by Cassius Clay and competed in the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. The 18-year-old faced older and more experienced opponents from around the world, but they were no match for the future boxing legend, who took home the gold medal in the light-heavyweight category.

1986 Panini Supersport #2 Carl Lewis - Italian

Sport: Track & Field

1984 Olympics medal count: Gold medals (4)

Created a couple years after the 1984 Summer Olympics by Italian card brand Panini, this issue celebrates Carl Lewis' iconic performance that year in Los Angeles. In true Jesse Owens fashion, Lewis also earned four gold medals in the 100-meter, 200-meter, 4 × 100-meter relay and long jump events, setting multiple records along the way. With nine Olympic gold medals and one silver medal under his belt after competing in four different Olympic Summer Games, he is one of the most decorated Americans in track and field history.

1991-92 SkyBox USA Basketball Team Card

Sport: Basketball

1992 Olympics medal count: Gold medal (1)

This is the only team card on our list, and it's arguably the greatest and most famous team to ever be assembled: the 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team, better known as the "Dream Team." Held in Barcelona, these Summer Games marked the first time active NBA players were allowed to compete. The first 10 players selected were immortalized on the front and back of the 1992 SkyBox USA Basketball Team card: Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Scottie Pippen, Patrick Ewing, Magic Johnson, David Robinson, Chris Mullin, Karl Malone and John Stockton. The Dream Team won every game, and by an average of 44 points, on their way to a gold medal, and their popularity helped turn basketball into the global sport that it is today.

1992 Impel Olympicards #88 Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Sport: Track & Field

1992 Olympics medal count: Gold medal (1), Bronze medal (1)

One of the greatest female Olympians of all time, Jackie Joyner-Kersee dominated track and field events throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Released ahead of the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, the card honors her past performances in the world games, including her medal-winning performances in the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. In Spain, Joyner-Kersee would add to her already impressive medal cabinet with a gold in the Heptathlon and a bronze in the long jump.

2012 Topps Allen & Ginter Relics #AGR-MPH Michael Phelps

Sport: Swimming

2012 Olympics medal count: Gold medals (4), Silver medals (2)

The most successful men's swimmer ever and the most decorated Olympian of all time, Michael Phelps set the bar for greatness on the international competitive stage. With 28 total Olympic medals to his name (23 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze), the American is not only considered the greatest swimmer ever but is also considered one of the greatest athletes ever. After winning six gold medals in 2004 in Athens and his record-setting eight gold medals in 2008 in Beijing, Phelps followed that up with another four gold medals and two silver medals at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. This is also the only card on our list that features a relic: a piece of memorabilia that was worn by the champion swimmer.

2012 Topps US Olympic Team #90 Alex Morgan

Sport: Soccer

2012 Olympics medal count: Gold medal (1)

Another Team USA athlete from the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, women's soccer star Alex Morgan became a regular starter for the US women's national team earlier that same year. Morgan and her teammates came out victorious in London, winning the gold medal. She went on to lead the USWNT in goals (28) and assists (21) in 2012, joining soccer icon Mia Hamm as the only USWNT players to record at least 20 goals and 20 assists in the same calendar year. In addition, a lucky collector was able to obtain an autograph of Morgan on this 2012 Topps US Olympics Team card, and newly available CGC x JSA services certified it as authentic. For more information on CGC x JSA services, including label information, pricing and how to submit, go here.

2015-16 Panini Prizm USA Basketball #19 LeBron James

Sport: Basketball

2012 Olympics medal count: Gold medal (1)

As if LeBron James didn't have enough accolades in his basketball career, "King James" is also an international champion, earning two gold medals and a bronze medal during three previous trips to the Olympics. One of the more modern cards on our list, this Prizm USA Basketball card was released in unison with the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, which he chose to sit out of after just winning an NBA title with Cleveland that summer. The card references James' involvement with the 2012 team that took home gold, but now he is back and playing on Team USA once again in Paris. Could he add a third gold medal to his already full trophy cabinet later this week?

2016 Topps US Olympic Team #75 Gabby Douglas - Gold

Sport: Gymnastics

2016 Olympics medal count: Gold medal (1)

While still a teenager, gymnastics phenom Gabby Douglas helped propel Team USA to several gold medals during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. She won two gold medals, including the individual all-around, making history by becoming the first woman of color of any nationality to ever win the event. She followed that up in 2016 with another gold medal-winning performance with Team USA, which is captured on this Topps Olympics issue.

2016 Topps US Olympic Team #38 Simone Biles

Sport: Gymnastics

2016 Olympics medal count: Gold medals (4), Bronze medal (1)

After her performance this summer in Paris, Simone Biles has staked her claim as the greatest gymnast of all time. However, in 2016 at the Summer Olympics in Rio, she was just getting started. She quickly became a household name and the face of the US gymnastics team, winning four gold medals (Team, All-around, Vault, Floor Exercise) and one bronze medal (Balance beam). This Topps card perfectly captures one of her victorious moments that year, as she is seen playfully biting a gold medal around her neck. To date, Biles has 11 Olympic medals (7 Gold, 2 Silver and 2 Bronze), making her the most decorated gymnast in history.