The Agony of Defeat scene was the longest running segment of the Wide World of Sports intro. His name was Vinko Bogataj and I remember someone actually interviewed him a few years after that clip was create He was from Communist Yugoslavia and never knew he was a celebrity in the US and around the world. At the 20th Anniversary of ABC Sports Mohammed Ali asked him for his autograph.
the opening of this show is literally tattoed on the brain of any guy over the age of 35... These images and sequences will live forever. We emulated them as kids growing up !!
Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sport. The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. The human drama of athletic competition. Jim Mc Kay spoke some of the greatest words ever spoken to begin a sports program. ABC's Wide World Of Sports had one of the best intros ever created.
It's amazing how exciting TV theme music was in the 60s through the 80s. Full orchestral music. Think of Dallas, the Rockford Files, Mod Squad, Magnum PI, The A-Team. Awesome themes that got amped up for excitement.
The Pro Bowlers Tour was the longest running spin-off of Wide World of Sports. In 1961 they a bowling contest that got good ratings, Eddie Elias head of the PBA negotiated a deal and they lasted over 30 years on the network
I get goose bumps literally at the end of the intro music mam the 80's was such a great decade for sports the legends all came from that era. This is the best intro and 80's Monday Night Football
Jim Mc Kay dead and of course Joe Buck dead will probably mean the end of the major iconic announcers since the likes of Jack Buck have gravitated to FS1 and the other cable only channels. I think Senator Mc Cain said it right when he thought that Fox and Disney should lose some of their air quality since most of their good shows will never be shown on free tv again.
What I remember about this show, even more than caber tossing or cross country skiing, was the cliff diving from Acapulco. Seemed to me like they did that every year. I think they were hoping that one of the divers would smash into the rocks.
It's like that with everything. Too much of anything is bad. The "thing" in question, looses it's mystic. When ABC's WWoS was on in the 60's, 70's & into the 80's, it was a weekly thing. Something to look forward to. Same thing with Saturday morning cartoons. Now there is ESPN, ESPN 2, 3,4,etc. (& Cartoon Network) We now live in a "24/7", "On Demand" world. There is little left of "anticipation".
I love the opening and theme, I wonder when it ended it's long run? Too bad CBS Sports Spectacular & NBC Sports World don't have weekend sports shows anymore.
The Agony of Defeat scene was the longest running segment of the Wide World of Sports intro. His name was Vinko Bogataj and I remember someone actually interviewed him a few years after that clip was create He was from Communist Yugoslavia and never knew he was a celebrity in the US and around the world. At the 20th Anniversary of ABC Sports Mohammed Ali asked him for his autograph.
the opening of this show is literally tattoed on the brain of any guy over the age of 35... These images and sequences will live forever. We emulated them as kids growing up !!
I invested many of a weekend afternoon with Wide World of Sports. I miss it terribly. Have always loved the intro.
Same 💯
me too, usually preceded by the Pro Bowlers tour
alot of those events have moved to NBC
Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sport. The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. The human drama of athletic competition. Jim Mc Kay spoke some of the greatest words ever spoken to begin a sports program. ABC's Wide World Of Sports had one of the best intros ever created.
Tremendous Theme Song, and it was written and composed by Charles Fox, who also did the Happy Days Intro too.
It's amazing how exciting TV theme music was in the 60s through the 80s. Full orchestral music. Think of Dallas, the Rockford Files, Mod Squad, Magnum PI, The A-Team. Awesome themes that got amped up for excitement.
In all of the shorts of this intro the agony of defeat was always the skier hitting the ramp! Here’s to you for that historic jump!
This takes me back to my childhood.
This was my Saturday afternoon, this and the Pro Bowler's Tour.
The Pro Bowlers Tour was the longest running spin-off of Wide World of Sports. In 1961 they a bowling contest that got good ratings, Eddie Elias head of the PBA negotiated a deal and they lasted over 30 years on the network
That's Tardelli of Italy scoring in the '82 world cup at 24. O the thrill.
My first World Cup. I was supporting Brazil - one of the best Brazilian teams ever.
Wonderful memories
I get goose bumps literally at the end of the intro music mam the 80's was such a great decade for sports the legends all came from that era. This is the best intro and 80's Monday Night Football
Wow! This video takes me back. Thanks for sharing.
Marco Tardelli, Juventus & Italy legend!!
Was that the 82 world cup
Wow.. i cant believe so few comments...i guess im showing my age..it does bring bk lots of good childhood memories !..glad im not the only one
Only the Boomers and Gen Xers can fully appreciate!
The most amazing part about Vinko Bogataj's legendary wipeout? He wasn't wearing a helmet, and he didn't break anything besides his skis.
I've loved this ever since I was young
The Agony Of Defeat lives on
Jim Mc Kay dead and of course Joe Buck dead will probably mean the end of the major iconic announcers since the likes of Jack Buck have gravitated to FS1 and the other cable only channels. I think Senator Mc Cain said it right when he thought that Fox and Disney should lose some of their air quality since most of their good shows will never be shown on free tv again.
0:10 Vinko Bogataj. Hard to believe, but also a relief, that he walked (yes walked) away with some bad bruises and a mild concussion.
Yes indeed! I could hardly believe my eyes every time I saw that poor skier! I loved this show & I'd love to see a season or 2 come out on DVD!
He was actually a real person. And yes it was on the Olympic type ski jump.
0:22-0:24 Marco Tardelli going wild a weekend of glory
Man I miss this show. It was such great fun!!
If you still have that segment with Frank Gifford about the USFL, that would be a great upload!
USFL had good run but of course NFL if they expand to London might seal themselves as the only major football league possible.
When Saturday afternoons rocked.
Vinko Bogataj in Oberstdorf, Germany
The sport that became most popular due to this show was figure skating.
Things we'll never see again. Wide World of Sports, and the USFL. LOL.
USFL was ok the NFL did a great job changing itself and with these new safety rules should be even better.
As of this week, the USFL is coming back beginning next year
Forza Italia! 🇮🇹
What I remember about this show, even more than caber tossing or cross country skiing, was the cliff diving from Acapulco. Seemed to me like they did that every year. I think they were hoping that one of the divers would smash into the rocks.
It's like that with everything. Too much of anything is bad. The "thing" in question, looses it's mystic. When ABC's WWoS was on in the 60's, 70's & into the 80's, it was a weekly thing. Something to look forward to. Same thing with Saturday morning cartoons. Now there is ESPN, ESPN 2, 3,4,etc. (& Cartoon Network) We now live in a "24/7", "On Demand" world. There is little left of "anticipation".
Maybe I can upload that segment if you're interested. I was trying to just get the Wide World of Sports portion in only. Thanks for the mention.
LOL sometimes when I'm skiing, I think of that dude with the snow all over his face.
That actually happened.
A Saturday staple and a few Sundays too
Love the bare hint of USFL at the end!
the thrill off victory
and the agony of defeat!
And the agony of the "feet".
Lol
How about this: ESPN on ABC's Wide World of Sports!!!
A little Cody Webster thrown in. I watched the first inning of the LLWS Championship recently and he wasn’t as dominant as I remember it back then.
He was mowing down those kids from Taiwan and then he hit a tape measure home run to boot
Wasn't dominant? Bet those kids from Taiwan would disagree... he threw a four hitter
I could have sworn Vinko (the agony of defeat guy) wiped out a lot harder than what is shown here. Ah well. Chalk it up to a faulty memory.
I love the opening and theme, I wonder when it ended it's long run? Too bad CBS Sports Spectacular & NBC Sports World don't have weekend sports shows anymore.
2006, when ESPN & ABC partnered on sports coverage.
@@Tyrone181 Yes I heard about that, They said it was the end of ABC Sports.
The late Frank Gifford I believe?
How about this: ESPN on ABC's Wide World of Sports!!! It's not Saturday Afternoon without it!!!
0:31 Teofilo Stevenson 🥇🥇🥇🥊🇨🇺
Well the cartoons are over.. guess I’ll go outside and play
BRING IT BACK"!!!!!!!
Anyone know the guy with ice all over his beard
If anyone here has any original Wide World Of Sports shows just PM me
Da agony of da feet
I Believe This Was A Video Clip Of ABC Sports' ABC's Wide World Of Sports Video Close From 1983.
Watched this on Saturday afternoons some good stuff and other stuff was boring ...
The great jim McKay
Much simpler time for sure.
Wow, I did not know Jesus competed in cross-country skiing!
We Used To Talk Only About Sports. Now iT's Hate-Speech and Mob Politics iNcluded..
@toressm How about ABC Sports, ESPN on ABC sucks!