Sports
10 Olympic Scandals That Shocked the World
By Jake Beardslee · August 8, 2024
From doping scandals to political boycotts, these events have often overshadowed the spirit of the Games.
Here are ten of the most shocking Olympic scandals that have left an indelible mark on history: David Shapinsky from Washington, D.C., United States / Wikimedia
1. Ryan Lochte's Rio Gas Station Incident (2016)
American swimmer Ryan Lochte and his teammates falsely claimed to have been robbed at gunpoint in Rio, only for it to be revealed that they had vandalized a gas station. This incident embarrassed the US Olympic team and resulted in Lochte's suspension. JD Lasica from Pleasanton, CA, US / Wikimedia
2. The Twin Switch (1984 Los Angeles Olympics)
Puerto Rican athlete Madeline de Jesus used her identical twin sister, Margaret, to compete in a qualifying heat of the 4x400 meter relay after injuring herself in the long jump. The deception was discovered, and their team was disqualified when their coach pulled them from the competition to maintain integrity. International Olympic Committee / Wikimedia
3. Tonya Harding and the Nancy Kerrigan Attack (1994)
One of the most infamous scandals in Olympic history involves the attack on figure skater Nancy Kerrigan. Orchestrated by associates of her rival, Tonya Harding, the attack aimed to eliminate Kerrigan from competition. Harding later pleaded guilty to hindering the prosecution, resulting in a lifetime ban from skating. MPS-USA TODAY Sports
4. The Figure Skating Judging Controversy (2002 Salt Lake City Olympics)
The 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City were rocked by a major judging scandal in the pairs figure skating competition. Initially, the Russian pair of Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze were awarded the gold medal over Canadian duo Jamie Salé and David Pelletier, despite the Canadians' seemingly flawless performance.It was later revealed that French judge Marie-Reine Le Gougne had been pressured to vote for the Russian pair, regardless of their performance. This led to an unprecedented decision by the International Olympic Committee to award a second set of gold medals to the Canadian pair. Vesperholly / Wikimedia
5. The Russian Doping Scandal (2016 Rio Olympics)
In 2016, a massive doping scandal rocked the Olympics when over 100 Russian athletes were banned from the Rio Games. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) investigated widespread doping allegations, leading to the exclusion of 116 athletes from the original Russian team. This scandal was a significant blow to Russia's sporting reputation and led to further restrictions in subsequent Games, including the banning of the Russian flag and anthem at the Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Olympics. Agência Brasil / Wikimedia
6. The Age Falsification Scandal (2000 Sydney Olympics)
Chinese gymnast Dong Fangxiao was found to have falsified her age to compete in the Sydney Olympics. This scandal led to the revocation of the Chinese team's bronze medal. TSGT Robert A. Whitehead, U.S. Air Force / Wikimedia
7. The Blood in the Water Match (1956 Melbourne Olympics)
The 1956 water polo match between Hungary and the Soviet Union turned violent just weeks after the Soviet crackdown on the Hungarian Revolution. The match, known as the "Blood in the Water" match, saw Hungarian player Ervin Zador emerging from the pool with a bloodied face, symbolizing the intense geopolitical tensions of the time. Italian Olympic Committee / Wikimedia
8. Ben Johnson's Doping Disgrace (1988 Seoul Olympics)
Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson's world record-breaking win in the 100 meters was overshadowed when he tested positive for steroids. Ken Hackman, U.S. Air Force / Wikimedia
9. The Salt Lake City Bribery Scandal (2002)
The bidding process for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City was tainted by a bribery scandal, where IOC members were found to have accepted gifts and favors in exchange for their votes. This led to significant reforms in how host cities are selected. IOC / Wikimedia