Check out the great video and analysis that the New York Times has done that put's Usain Bolt's gold medal win in to perspective over the history of the modern Olympics. 
As a swimmer I love the analysis of the 100-meter Freestyle event. The progress that has been made in the history of the Modern Olympics is even more striking: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/08/01/sports/olympics/racing-against-history.html
