Sports Legends Shine on February 24

From record-setting speed runs to Olympic gold, this date in history has seen many iconic athletic achievements.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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February 24 has witnessed numerous memorable moments in sports history, from Malcolm Campbell setting the world land speed record in 1932 to the "Miracle on Ice" U.S. hockey team's gold medal triumph at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics. Other highlights include Norwegian and Austrian ski jumping and slalom dominance, NBA and NHL records, and the career achievements of legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Roberto Duran, and Kobe Bryant.

Why it matters

February is a busy month for sports, with major events like the Super Bowl, NBA All-Star Game, and Winter Olympics taking place. Examining the notable feats that have occurred on this specific date provides insight into the rich history and legacy of some of the world's greatest athletes and teams.

The details

Some of the key events that unfolded on February 24 over the years include: Malcolm Campbell setting the world land speed record in 1932; Norway sweeping the men's ski jumping podium at the 1952 Oslo Olympics; Austria going 1-2 in the men's slalom at the 1960 Squaw Valley Olympics; Tiny Lund winning the 1963 Daytona 500; Gary Unger beginning his NHL consecutive games record in 1968; Atje Keulen-Deelstra becoming the Women's Allround World Champion for the third straight time in 1974; Kevin Porter setting the NBA single-game assists record in 1978; the "Miracle on Ice" U.S. hockey team winning gold at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics; the Boston Celtics starting an 18-game winning streak in 1982; Wayne Gretzky scoring his 78th goal of the season, a new NHL record, also in 1982; Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scoring his 30,000th point in 1987; Finnish ski jumper Matti Nykanen winning his third gold medal at the 1988 Calgary Olympics; and Roberto Duran winning his fourth world title in a different weight class in 1989.

  • On February 24, 1932, Malcolm Campbell set the world land speed record of 253.96 mph.
  • On February 24, 1952, Norway went 1-2 in the men's ski jumping event at the Oslo Winter Olympics.
  • On February 24, 1960, Austria went 1-2 in the men's slalom at the Squaw Valley Winter Olympics.
  • On February 24, 1963, Tiny Lund won the Daytona 500 on four pit stops.
  • On February 24, 1968, Gary Unger began his NHL consecutive games record of 914 games.

The players

Malcolm Campbell

A British racing driver who set the world land speed record in 1932 by driving his famous Blue Bird car at Daytona Beach, Florida.

Arnfinn Bergmann

A Norwegian ski jumper who won gold at the 1952 Oslo Winter Olympics.

Tiny Lund

An American race car driver who won the 1963 Daytona 500.

Gary Unger

A Canadian ice hockey player who began his NHL consecutive games record of 914 games in 1968.

Matti Nykanen

A Finnish ski jumper who won three gold medals at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.

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The takeaway

February 24 has seen an incredible array of athletic achievements, from record-breaking speed runs to Olympic gold medals and career milestones. These moments showcase the remarkable skill, determination, and legacy of some of the greatest sports figures in history, and remind us of the enduring power of sports to captivate and inspire.