Top 50 Most SCANDALOUS Olympic Controversies Ever

#50: Cross-Country Skiers Disqualified

Salt Lake City, Utah, USA (2002)

The 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics were overshadowed by multiple blood doping violations in cross-country skiing. Several athletes were stripped of medals after testing positive for banned substances. This included Russian star Larissa Lazutina, one of the most decorated Winter Olympians in history. Lazutina lost multiple medals, while Spanish skier Johann Mühlegg was also disqualified despite initially dominating the competition. Alongside the popular duo, Austrian skiers Marc Mayer and Achim Walcher were also disqualified, though they were not in contention for medals. The scandal highlighted systemic doping problems and shook confidence in one of the Games’ endurance-heavy sports. Fans questioned how widespread the issue truly was, and officials faced pressure to strengthen anti-doping enforcement, marking a turning point for Olympic drug testing standards.

#49: Paraskevi Papachristou ExpelledLondon, England (2012)

In a case of social media gone terribly wrong, Greek triple jumper Paraskevi “Voula” Papachristou never competed at the London 2012 Olympics after a series of online posts led to her expulsion. Papachristou shared comments that were widely criticized as offensive and discriminatory. Expressing support for far-right political views did not make matters any easier. The Greek Olympic Committee acted swiftly, stating her behavior contradicted Olympic values of respect and inclusion. The decision ignited debate over athlete conduct, free expression, and responsibility on public platforms. While some argued the punishment was severe, others viewed it as a necessary stance. The controversy underscored how digital footprints can directly impact athletic careers on the world stage.

#48: Evander Holyfield Disqualified

Los Angeles, California, USA (1984)

Before “The Real Deal” became a household name, Evander Holyfield entered the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics as a gold medal favorite in light-heavyweight boxing. That dream ended abruptly when he was disqualified during the semifinal bout against New Zealand’s Kevin Barry. Holyfield landed a powerful punch moments after the referee called for a break, knocking Barry down. Despite protests that the strike was unintentional, officials upheld the disqualification. The ruling sparked immediate controversy, with many believing Holyfield was unfairly penalized. While the dream was for gold, Holyfield ultimately settled with a bronze medal. The incident became one of Olympic boxing’s most debated moments and added fuel to long-standing concerns over officiating consistency in combat sports.

#47: Security Breach Nearly Reaches Biden

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (2010)

Security breaches are never a good thing, especially when it involves a vice president. During the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, a security breach raised serious concerns when a man using fake credentials involving a homemade, “all-access pass” gained entry to restricted Olympic areas. The individual, later identified as suffering from mental illness, managed to come within roughly a dozen rows of then–U.S. Vice President Joe Biden during an event. Authorities detained him before any harm occurred, though he briefly evaded custody afterward. While no injuries resulted, the incident embarrassed Olympic organizers and security agencies alike. The breach highlighted vulnerabilities in credential verification and crowd management during high-profile international events, prompting reviews of Olympic security protocols moving forward.

#46: Vanderlei de Lima Attacked

Athens, Greece (2004)

Imagine losing out on the podium’s top spot due to outside interference. Unfortunately, that is exactly what Brazilian marathon runner Vanderlei de Lima had to endure in the 2004 Athens Olympics. de Lima was leading the men’s race when a defrocked priest named Cornelius Horan ran onto the course and shoved de Lima into the crowd, costing him valuable time and momentum. Though he resumed running with remarkable composure, de Lima was overtaken and ultimately finished with a bronze medal. Public sympathy poured in worldwide, and many questioned whether officials should have intervened differently. In recognition of his sportsmanship, de Lima later received the Pierre de Coubertin Medal, turning a scandal into one of the Olympics’ most poignant moments.

#45: Nine Australian Athletes Sneak Into Paid Seating

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2016)

At the 2016 Rio Olympics, a group of nine Australian athletes found themselves in hot water after attempting to access premium seating at a basketball semifinal between Australia and Serbia. Although athletes were entitled to free tickets, the group altered their credentials to enter paid sections with optimal views. This was a direct violation that could not be ignored by Olympic officials with fines amounting approximately $3,100 per athlete. The athletes’ actions drew criticism for self-entitlement and poor judgment. Further investigations later found that up to 80 athletes had gained entry to the same game by “recycling” tickets. The Australian Olympic Committee issued apologies, emphasizing that athletes are expected to uphold integrity both on and off the field during the games.

#44: Ice Dancing Judges Try to Pre-Ordain Results

Nagano, Japan (1998)

Olympic ice dancing came under scrutiny after footage emerged from the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics showing a judge allegedly attempting to influence results. Canadian judge Jean Senft recorded a conversation with Ukrainian judge Yuri Balkov who proposed to favor Canadian skaters if Senft favored Ukrainian skaters. The revelation suggested pre-arranged outcomes and favoritism, fueling long-standing suspicions about subjectivity in judged sports. IOC Vice President Richard Pound publicly criticized the conduct, warning that the sport’s Olympic future could be at risk without reform. The scandal damaged public trust and led to a complete overhaul of the figure skating judging system in subsequent years. While ice dancing remained part of the Games, the controversy served as a stark reminder of how behind-the-scenes manipulation can undermine athletic credibility.

#43: Kei Saito Suspended Due to Doping

Pyeongchang, South Korea (2018)

The 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang started off with a bang when Japanese speed skater Kei Saito was marked for doping. Saito tested positive for a banned diuretic and masking agent during pre-competition screening. Despite claims of innocence, Saito voluntarily departed from the Olympic Village, suspended from the games, and sent home. Though not a medal contender, the case drew attention due to its timing at the start of the Games. Japanese officials expressed disappointment, emphasizing strict compliance expectations. The incident reinforced the Olympic zero-tolerance approach toward doping and also served as an early reminder that no athlete, regardless of status, is immune to scrutiny.

#42: Ara Abrahamian Places Bronze Medal on Floor

Beijing, China (2008)

Swedish Greco-Roman wrestler Ara Abrahamian made headlines at the 2008 Beijing Olympics when he not only wrestled for a bronze medal but also the officiating of his match. Frustrated by refereeing decisions that seemed biased in his semifinal bout and that denied him a shot at the gold, Abrahamian placed his medal on the competition mat and walked away. The International Olympic Committee ruled the gesture disrespectful and stripped him of the medal entirely. The incident ignited debate over athlete protest, emotional expression, and respect for competition outcomes. Abrahamian stood by his actions and later arbitration also supported his view but the IOC remained steadfast in its strict rules regarding demonstrations. The controversy highlighted tensions between personal conviction and institutional authority within Olympic competition.

#41: Lake Placid’s Olympics complex-turned-prisonLake Placid, New York, USA (1980)

Olympic venues are a case of expensive abandonment once the games conclude. With costs varying wildly from millions to billions, these abandoned venues are an expensive fall out. U.S. lawmakers sought to avoid a similar scenario when Lake Placid prepared to host the 1980 Winter Olympics. Their solution was controversial: design Olympic facilities to double as a correctional institution after the games. Once the global spotlight faded, parts of the complex were repurposed into a functioning prison. While fiscally practical, the decision sparked debate over Olympic legacy planning and symbolism. Critics argued it undercut the inspirational spirit of the Games, while supporters praised its practicality. The unusual transformation remains one of the most unexpected post-Olympic outcomes in modern history.

#40: Speedskating Gold Medal Stolen

Salt Lake City, Utah, USA (2002)

Speedskating became another controversial flashpoint at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. Short track speed skater Kim Dong-sung found himself in the spotlight during the 1500 m men’s final. Kim finished the track first but was disqualified for “cross-tracking”. This led to American Apolo Anton Ohno winning the gold medal. South Korean officials alleged that questionable officiating decisions cost their athlete a gold medal. Video replays and technical rulings fueled heated debate, with fans accusing judges of bias and inconsistency. Although officials upheld the original results, the dispute intensified calls for clearer rules and improved officiating transparency. While medals remained unchanged, the incident showed how close finishes and technical calls can ignite international disputes during the world’s biggest sporting event.

#39: Kim Yuna gets silver

Sochi, Russia (2014)

Another Olympics controversy involving a South Korean athlete erupted during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. Figure skating fans erupted when South Korean star Kim Yuna received a silver medal despite delivering a nearly flawless performance. Many viewers believed her routine surpassed that of the gold medalist, Adelina Sotnikova, fueling accusations of judging favoritism and political influence. Kim, a defending Olympic champion, maintained grace throughout the controversy, though public outrage persisted long after the event ended. Petitions circulated demanding investigations, and debates about scoring transparency resurfaced. While officials defended the judging, the incident reinforced skepticism toward subjective scoring systems and cemented Kim Yuna’s legacy as one of the most debated athletes in Olympic history.

#38: The low vault

Sydney, Australia (2000)

The vault is a combination of sports and artistry at the Olympics. Gymnasts sprint, jump off a springboard, push off the vaulting table, and perform flips/twists before landing. But at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, gymnasts from multiple countries struggled unexpectedly at the vault event. The culprit was the apparatus itself. It was later discovered that the vault had been set approximately two inches too low. The incorrect height disrupted athletes’ timing, leading to falls, injuries, and unusually poor performances. Officials eventually acknowledged the error and allowed competitors to repeat the event with the vault adjusted correctly. However, the damage was already done, with some athletes mentally and physically shaken. The mistake highlighted how even small technical errors can have major consequences in elite-level competition.

#37: First doping scandal

St. Louis, Missouri, USA (1904)

Doping controversies have shadowed the Olympics for over a century. The earliest documented case dates back to the 1904 St. Louis Games. Marathon runner Thomas Hicks reportedly consumed a mixture containing strychnine, egg whites, and brandy to enhance endurance during the race. Hicks won the gold but paid a heavy price in doing so. He finished the race in a semi-delirious state. His condition deteriorated severely, and he would need physical support to cross the line before collapsing immediately after. At the time, the substances used in this cocktail of poison were not explicitly banned, reflecting the era’s limited understanding of performance enhancement. The incident later became a cautionary tale, illustrating why modern anti-doping regulations were eventually deemed essential for athlete safety and fair competition.

#36: The Cold War Games

The Olympics became a battleground for political tension during the Cold War, particularly in 1980 and 1984. Following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the United States led a boycott of the 1980 Moscow Games. They were not alone in this protest as 60 more nations joined in the initiative against Soviet aggression. Four years later, the Soviet Union and its allies retaliated by boycotting the Los Angeles Olympics, organizing alternative “Friendship Games” instead. These actions deprived countless athletes of Olympic opportunities and politicized global sport on an unprecedented scale. The dueling boycotts are a case study on how international conflict could overshadow athletic achievement, leaving a lasting mark on Olympic history.

#35: Marion Jones doping

Sydney, Australia (2000)

Among the finest athletes of the United States, Marion Jones was a top celebrity. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, she won five medals, including three golds leaving behind a legacy to endure for years, or so it was believed. Years later, Jones’ legacy collapsed when she admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs. In 2007, Jones formally confessed and surrendered her medals, shocking fans worldwide. The revelation tarnished an era of track and field and raised questions about oversight during the Olympics. Jones later served prison time for related offenses, further compounding the scandal. Her fall from grace became one of the most prominent examples of how doping revelations can rewrite Olympic history long after the closing ceremonies.

#34: Canadian Women's Hockey Team Celebration

At the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada faced off against the United States in the women’s ice hockey finals, and came out victorious– earning themselves and their country the gold. Thrilled with their triumph, the team returned to the ice and celebrated… just a little too hard. The players drank and smoked out on the ice rink, while in their official uniforms. This was recorded, and led to harsh blowback and criticism in the media. The team, and the larger Hockey Canada organization, apologized for their bold behavior.

#33: Disqualified for Nurofen

Sydney, Australia (2000)

Doping is a major violation at the Olympics but what happens when it is unintentional? The answer was delivered at the 2000 Sydney Olympics when Romanian gymnast Andreea Răducan became the first athlete to be stripped of an individual Olympic medal due to a positive drug test involving pseudoephedrine. The substance came from Nurofen, an over-the-counter cold medicine administered by the team doctor. Despite acknowledging the unintentional nature of the violation, officials enforced strict liability rules. Răducan lost her all-around gold medal, which was awarded to teammate Simona Amânar. The incident sparked global debate over fairness, athlete responsibility, and medical oversight. Răducan retained her other medals, but the controversy forever marked her Olympic experience.

#32: USA Gymnastics sex abuse scandal

Here was a scandal that exposed and upturned an entire system. Dating all the way back to the 1990s, the USA Gymnastics scandal exposed systemic failures that allowed abuse to continue unchecked for decades. More than 265 female athletes came forward with allegations of sexual assault by team doctor Larry Nassar, revealing widespread institutional neglect. Investigations showed repeated missed opportunities to intervene, leading to public outrage and sweeping reforms. Nassar received sentences of 60 years in prison with an additional 80 to 300 years. While survivors’ courage brought accountability, the revelations deeply damaged trust in governing bodies. The case became one of the most significant scandals in Olympic history, reshaping conversations about athlete protection, power dynamics, and institutional responsibility across all levels of sport.

#31: Rise and Fall of Oscar Pistorius

London, England (2012)

Oscar Pistorius captivated the world at the 2012 London Olympics as the first person with a double amputation to compete against athletes without physical disabilities. Dubbed the “Blade Runner,” he symbolized perseverance and innovation. His efforts at the games drew inspiration around the world and brought great attention to its paralympic division. This image shattered when Pistorius was later convicted of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013. Following a high-profile trial that dominated global headlines, Pistorius transformed from Olympic hero to cautionary figure. His downfall sparked intense debate about celebrity, accountability, and media influence. While separate from Olympic competition itself, the scandal irrevocably altered his legacy. Pistorius’s story remains one of the most dramatic reversals in modern sports history.

#30: Canada’s Drone Scandal

Paris, France (2024)

This scandal is certainly a modern one– Canada’s women’s soccer team was found guilty of using a drone to spy on New Zealand’s team’s practices. This verdict came after Canada had defeated both New Zealand and France, but the six-point deduction that the team suffered from the violation left a challenging road ahead for the rest of the games. Coach Bev Priestman was given a year-long ban as a result, and quickly issued an apology to the players. The Canadian team had brought home the gold in women’s soccer in Tokyo in 2021, but this uncovered misconduct unfortunately casts a dark shadow over the team’s legacy.

#29: Banned for Doping Before It Was Illegal

Nagano, Japan (1998)

The 1998 Winter Olympics was meant to be a celebration for Ross Rebagliati. After all, the Canadian was the first gold medalist in the debuting sport of Snowboarding, winning in the men's giant slalom event. But then, Rebagliati tested positive for trace amounts of THC. After a vote by the International Olympic Committee, or IOC, he was disqualified. However, cannabis hadn’t been banned by the IOC at that point. Canada appealed the decision, which was successful, and Rebagliati could wear his medal with tarnished pride. The IOC then put through a ban on the substance 2 months later. Due to this drama, while Rebagliati enjoyed the celebrity, he was added to the US’s No Fly List, which damaged his snowboarding career.

#28: Badminton Players Match Fixing

London, England (2012)

It’s rare when two teams collude with each other to fix a result in sport. But it’s unprecedented for four to do so in the same event. At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England, multiple women’s doubles badminton teams did just that. In Group A, China and South Korea were undefeated when they faced each other in the last match. The same situation happened for Group C with Indonesia and another South Korean pairing. During these bouts, the athletes seemingly threw the matches by making many errors. They did this to get a more favorable match-up in the quarter-finals. After the Badminton World Federation examined the matches, they ruled the accused players had broken the rules and were disqualified from the tournament.

#27: The Kozakiewicz Gesture

Moscow, Soviet Union (1980)

Leading up to the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, Soviet Union, Poland’s Władysław Kozakiewicz was one of the favorites to take gold in the pole vault after top finishes in several competitions. When he competed at the prestigious event, he, along with any other non-Soviet athlete, was booed and whistled at by the crowd. Yet even with that against him, the Polish vaulter achieved a 5.78-meter jump, taking the gold and breaking a world record. However, during several jumps, Kozakiewicz defied the hostility by showcasing the bras d'honneur, also known as the Italian Salute, which is seen as an equivalent of whipping out the “bird.” Soviet officials demanded Kozakiewicz be stripped of the medal, which didn’t happen.

#26: Team GB Equestrian Scandal

Paris, France (2024)

Naturally, horse safety should always be of the utmost importance in equestrian sports. But unfortunately, an abusive incident was uncovered surrounding a member of Great Britain’s Olympic team. An incriminating video was released of gold medalist Charlotte Dujardin mistreating her steed during a training session. This caused massive waves, and the situation was further investigated by PETA. Dujardin pulled out of the games as a result, but the team still managed to clinch the gold in equestrian eventing. While this scandal was certainly an unfortunate one, it’s crucial that animal safety issues are brought to the forefront of such athletic events.

#25: Convicted Dutch Volleyball Player

Paris, France (2024)

The Netherlands’ beach volleyball team received many boos from the crowd when player Steven van de Velde entered the court. Van de Velde was sentenced to four years in prison after having been found guilty of assault against a girl he had met online. When sentenced, the judge had commented that his “hopes of representing his country now lie as a shattered dream.” But shockingly, after serving only 13 months of his time, van de Velde was selected by Dutch Olympic officials to join the team. Clearly, the consequences of his actions were ultimately minimal– though the media and audience backlash was considerable.

#24: Surya Bonaly's Backflip

Nagano, Japan (1998)

Running up to the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, France’s Bonaly hit disaster as she ruptured her Achilles tendon. Amazingly, the figure skater still competed in the Short Program but had to adapt her routine. Rather than play it safe, Bonaly became the first person at the Olympics to land a stunning backflip on one blade. However, this maneuver has been banned by the International Skating Union since 1976. As such, she had points deducted. Regardless, Bonaly celebrated to the audience for achieving this impressive feat, turning her back to the judges. One official approached the judges and told them Bonaly’s behavior was unacceptable. Even though she came 10th, when combined with Free Skating, Bonaly went down in Winter Olympic history with her performance.

#23: Greg Louganis’ Head Injury

Seoul, South Korea (1988)

Representing the United States in diving at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, Louganis looked to defend his two golds from the previous event. However, during the springboard, he struck his head on the board during a dive, causing a wound and a concussion. While hindsight dictates he shouldn’t have continued competing with a concussion, he did and won two golds. In 1995, Louganis came out with the news that he was diagnosed with HIV 6 months before the 1988 event. Straight away, people began criticizing him for not stating his diagnosis at the time as he bled in the water, leading to fears of infection. However, scientists disputed that anyone could’ve contracted the virus this way.

#22: Spain's Paralympic Basketball Team

Sydney, Australia (2000)

At the 2000 Summer Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia, Spain’s men’s basketball team in the intellectual disability class took the gold. Not long after the event closed, the truth came out. Undercover journalist and member of Spain’s winning team, Carlos Ribagorda, told the press that the team hadn’t had the necessary medical tests to show their disability. Only two of the twelve players were deemed to have an intellectual disability. Ribagorda claimed that Fernando Martin Vicente, an official for Spain’s Paralympic organization, had purposely signed up non-disabled athletes to secure gold. The European nation was disqualified, and Vincente resigned. He was later found guilty of fraud in 2013 and fined 5,400 euros. This scandal caused intellectual disability events to be banned for two Paralympics.

#21: China's Underage Gymnasts

Sydney, Australia (2000)

After helping China secure a bronze at the 1999 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships women’s team event, Dong Fangxiao helped them repeat the achievement at the 2000 Summer Olympics for the women's artistic team all-around. Still wanting to be involved after a severe injury forced her to retire, Dong signed up to be a technical official at the 2008 Summer Olympics. However, her date of birth was different from the one she was registered under in 2000. According to the newer birth year, Dong would’ve been 14 years old in Sydney, Australia, two years younger than the minimum age set in 1997. After an investigation, China was disqualified from the 1999 Worlds and the 2000 Olympics and had to return their medals.

#20: Many Concerns Over the 2020 Olympics

Tokyo, Japan (2020/21)

The COVID pandemic not only pushed the original 2020 date of the Tokyo Olympics to the following summer, but also brought up issues of contagious spread. However, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Various events are set to occur in Fukushima, despite possible safety concerns from the 2011 nuclear disaster. Tokyo Bay’s water quality has also been questioned with respect to its warm temperature, repellent smell, and reported high levels of the fecal coliform bacteria, which could result in typhoid and dysentery. Meanwhile, asbestos was found in one of the competition’s buildings, the Games’ logos and stadium designs were accused of plagiarism, Russia allegedly conducted pre-cyber-reconnaissance, and there’ve been issues regarding politics and worker rights.

#19: Zola Budd Collides with Mary Decker

Los Angeles, California, USA (1984)

There was a lot of hype preceding the 3000-metre event at the 1984 Summer Olympics, as many were excited to watch South Africa’s Zola Budd - who was competing for Great Britain - race American world champion Mary Decker. Unfortunately, it was a major letdown. They repeatedly bumped into each other, and Decker went down hard following a collision, forcing her to be carried off the field. The barefoot Budd was troubled by the incident and finished a disappointing 7th. The media didn’t know who to blame, and each runner earned a degree of criticism. Most fell on Budd, but a later International Association of Athletics Federations investigation found that the collision wasn’t her fault. To this day, Decker blames it on her inexperience in pack running.

#18: Making Way for the Games

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2016)

In 2009, Rio de Janeiro won the bid to host the 2016 Summer Games. There was just one problem - working class favela Vila Autódromo was in the spot where they wanted the Olympic Village. So they attempted to kick everyone out. The favela inhabitants received eviction notices, reducing the area’s population by 83%. Those remaining formed a civil society and rejected eviction, often coming face-to-face with riot police and their community’s literal destruction. The billionaire owner of the real estate development firm Carvalho Hosken further invited controversy with media comments about the indigenous population. It’s estimated that 60,000 locals were displaced for the village’s construction.

#17: South Korea Bribes Judges

Seoul, South Korea (1988)

The 1988 Summer Olympics were held in Seoul, South Korea. Representing his home country was light middleweight boxer Park Si-hun, who faced American Roy Jones, Jr. in the gold medal match. Jones landed 86 punches against Park, with Park only landing 32. Despite this, Park was awarded the win in a controversial 3-2 decision, prompting an intense outcry. A judge allegedly admitted Jones should’ve won, but that he voted for Park to avoid disappointing South Korea. Multiple judges involved with the finals were subsequently prohibited from boxing, and an IOC investigation found South Korean officials had won the judges over after taking them out for dinner. A new scoring system was later integrated to prevent future issues.

#16: The American Swimmers’ Scandal

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2016)

During the 2016 Rio Olympics, various American swimmers, including Ryan Lochte, claimed they had been robbed at gunpoint. It didn’t take long for the so-called truth to come out. The athletes - some of whom were reportedly intoxicated - had allegedly vandalized a gas station and urinated in public, prompting a security guard confrontation. They then paid the guards for the damages. Deemed “Lochtegate”, the incident saw the eponymous swimmer charged for falsely reporting a crime. He was also suspended for ten months by the U.S. Olympic Committee and banned from its training centers. However, a later USA Today investigation brought up the possibility that the swimmers were actually innocent of vandalism and may’ve actually been coerced into handing over the money.

#15: Boris Onishchenko’s Magic Épée

Montreal, Quebec, Canada (1976)

As a distinguished-yet-aging modern pentathlete and respected figure in the Soviet Union, 38-year-old Onishchenko had a considerable reputation to uphold in his homeland. The pressure to perform, particularly in the Cold War era of sport, was too much to bear however, and caused the former army major to cheat, eventually leading to his downfall. Desperate to match his previous silver medal performance, he altered his épée to register hits even when he wasn’t making contact with his opponent. Just as quickly as this plot was discovered, “Boris the Cheat” was stripped of his sporting honors and personally reprimanded by Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev, therefore suffering the very fall from grace he was trying to avoid.

#14: Ángel Matos Kicks a Referee

Beijing, China (2008)

Cuban taekwondo fighter Ángel Matos took home gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and following a disappointing 2004 outcome, he was looking to reclaim some glory in Beijing. Instead, he was permanently kicked out of the sport. During the bronze medal match, Matos sustained an injury and took a brief medical time-out called Kyeshi. Kyeshi runs out after one minute, so when this time elapsed and Matos hadn’t returned to the ring, the referee called the game and awarded the win to Matos’s opponent. In return, Matos kicked him in the face. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Matos was subsequently banned for life by the World Taekwondo Federation, effectively ending his professional career.

#13: The Salt Lake City Bid Scandal

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States (2002)

Salt Lake City really wanted to host the Olympics and had bidded four times to no avail. Finally, their luck turned around in 1995, and they were given the 2002 Winter Olympics. However, allegations of bribery soon surfaced: IOC officials had reportedly accepted money from the Salt Lake City Organizing Committee. It wasn’t the only time. After future digging, it was found IOC officials had accepted bribes for both the 1998 and 2000 Olympics. The controversy launched numerous investigations, including one by the U.S. Department of Justice. Fifteen bribery charges were laid, and many prominent officials either resigned their posts or were officially expelled for corruption.

#12: The 2002 Figure Skating Scandal

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States (2002)

The Salt Lake City games were mired in controversy. If it wasn’t charges of bribery, it was a reportedly fixed figure skating competition. The pairs’ figure skating event ended in trouble when Russia won gold over Canada, despite Canada’s arguably better performance. The media criticized the judges for their decision, and suspicion landed on French judge Marie-Reine Le Gougne. She supposedly broke down when confronted by the Technical Committee’s chair and later admitted she’d been coerced into voting for the Russians. However, she later retracted these statements, stating she’d genuinely believed the Russians had won. Though an investigation into the event was never launched, Le Gougne’s judging career was over.

#11: The 1972 Men’s Basketball Final

Munich, Germany (1972)

The American men’s basketball team was the stuff of Olympics legend, having won every gold medal event since 1936. They were also completely undefeated with a 63-0 Olympics record. And then the Cold War was brought to the basketball court, as Team USA faced the Soviet Union in the 1972 Munich finals. Following an intense game, the final three seconds were a complete mess in terms of technical gameplay, and without going into complex detail, the USSR edged ahead for a 51-50 victory. Team USA wasn’t happy and protested the outcome. They refused to accept silver, and the surviving team members continue to refuse both the outcome of the game and the medals today.

#10: Displacement in Beijing

Beijing, China (2008)

As far back as 2000, Chinese officials were reportedly implementing “environmental improvement projects” – aka the systematic demolition of Beijing’s impoverished areas – resulting in an estimated displacement of 1.5 million people for the 2008 Summer Games. Although local government claimed they only moved between 6,000-15,000, all with compensation, numerous reports exposed the mistreatment of those unwilling to shift by heavy-handed police. Beijing’s “floating population” – consisting of rural migrants, the homeless and other so-called second-class citizens – were most at risk from this purported “social cleansing”. It was reported that $40 billion was spent on Olympic or corporate infrastructure, while human rights were allegedly ignored, adding to an already large list of controversies surrounding the Beijing Games.

#9: Jim Thorpe’s Disqualification

Stockholm, Sweden (1912)

Reportedly dubbed the greatest athlete in the world by the King of Sweden, this legendary all-rounder took gold in both the pentathlon and decathlon at the 1912 Summer Games, setting records that endured well into the 20th century. The Native American and European’s athletic career is defined by tales of his nonchalant excellence – his winning the high jump in mismatched shoes is one of many anecdotes. Yet his feats will always be tainted by the IOC’s elitist and potentially racist attempts to punish him for violating their Victorian rules on amateurism - rules that white athletes frequently abused without consequence. Under serious pressure from Thorpe supporters, the IOC did eventually yield on the subject by returning Thorpe’s medals in the early 1980s.

#8: The African Boycott

Montreal, Quebec, Canada (1976)

During the 1976 Montreal games, South Africa was in the height of apartheid, a system of racial segregation based on the concept of white supremacy that saw major oppression against black Africans. In 1976, the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team toured South Africa, and dozens of African countries requested that the IOC ban New Zealand from the then-upcoming Olympics. In their opinion, the controversial tour indirectly condoned the regime, and they wanted New Zealand punished. The IOC refused, so 29 countries protested the Olympics and failed to show. This prevented the former 1500-metre world record holder from competing, as Filbert Bayi hailed from Tanzania, one of the countries protesting the games.

#7: ‘Blood in the Water’ Match

Melbourne, Australia (1956)

Just a few weeks before this water polo match, Soviet tanks had rumbled into Budapest to end a revolution that claimed about 3,000 Hungarians. Hoping to restore their country’s pride, the Hungarian team planned to rile up the Russians, get physical and force them into rash decisions. With Hungary leading 4-0 late in the game, the Russians took matters into their own hands: Hungarian player Ervin Zador was struck in the eye, sending the hundreds of Hungarians in the crowd into a frenzy that required police intervention. In a bittersweet finish, the Hungarian team took home the gold, but they could never escape the match’s political subtext, forcing many members to find refuge in less oppressive lands.

#6: Ben Johnson Doping

Seoul, South Korea (1988)

The Men’s 100-Meters at the 1988 Summer Olympics may’ve been labeled “the dirtiest race in history,” but it was also one of the most enthralling to watch. Six members of that all-star lineup were implicated in other doping controversies post-race, but it was Johnson, the world record holder after his 9.79-second race, who’ll forever be defined by the steroid use he began in 1981. The Canadian was open about his long-term cheating and rightly stripped of his gold medal, yet is still irked to be the only one punished when others also failed drug tests. He’s even claimed the IOC only selectively cracks down on the pervasive doping culture in athletics – but even if Johnson’s allegations are true, we may never fully know.

#5: Tonya Harding & Nancy Kerrigan

Lillehammer, Norway (1994)

Containing jealousy, a hitman, and an unrelenting desire for sporting success, it’s no surprise a feature-length film adaptation of this event was released. During a practice that was crucial for determining the U.S. Olympic figure skating team, a henchman hired by Tonya Harding’s ex-husband and bodyguard struck Nancy Kerrigan in the leg. Since she was then the sport’s poster girl, the attack was orchestrated to intentionally put her out of the ’94 games. Branded as the “do anything for gold” skater, Harding’s alleged knowledge of the attack was soon exposed. However, she was still allowed to compete at the Olympics. Fortunately, Kerrigan recovered and landed silver at Lillehammer, while Harding placed 8th, was fined, received 3 years of probation and never skated competitively again.

#4: Russian Doping Scandal

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2016)

Details of Russia’s alleged state-sponsored systematic doping came to light in 2014, but they were expanded upon when ex-Russian anti-doping official, Grigory Rodchenkov, provided an insider’s look into a conspiracy that forced him to flee to the U.S. Exploiting the increased access granted by their hosting of the games, Sochi 2014 competitors were reportedly allowed to dope without consequence while their urine samples were exchanged in covert operations carried out by Rodchenkov and others. He claimed that at least 15 medallists from the 2014 Winter Olympics might be implicated. Due to these supposedly Kremlin-sanctioned schemes, Russia was suspended from world sports events. They were also investigated before the 2016 Summer Olympics, resulting in the IOC ejecting 110 team members.

#3: U.S. Boycotts Moscow Olympics

Moscow, Soviet Union (1980)

In response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan beginning in 1979, U.S. president Jimmy Carter led an international boycott that doomed his period in office and triggered the Soviet Union’s own boycott of the L.A. games in 1984. While the reasons behind this action were righteous and well-supported – the US enlisted Muhammad Ali’s help, and ultimately 65 nations joined up – the boycott threatened the Olympic Movement by embroiling the Games in the political maneuvering of two world powers. 25 angry U.S. athletes even sued the government for denying them a dream they worked so hard towards - and yet Carter stuck to his morals, strengthening a stance that’d later be described by the Soviet Union as “anti-Soviet hysteria”.

#2: Olympics Black Power Salute

Mexico City, Mexico (1968)

It’s one of the 20th century’s most powerful images: during the medal ceremony for the 200m race at the 1968 Summer Olympics, Americans Tommie Smith and John Carlos, shoeless and with their heads bowed, each thrust up a gloved hand. Smith said it was meant to symbolize human rights for all, but others believed it was in support of “Black Power.” Expelled and met with hostility when they returned home, they stood by the political statement, claiming it was their moral obligation to sacrifice their individual reputations to send a message to those watching. Meanwhile, the third man in the photograph, Peter Norman, was an Olympics pariah for decades thereafter because he showed his support by donning an Olympic Project for Human Rights badge.

#1: Nazi Olympics

Berlin, Germany (1936)

For two weeks in 1936 Berlin, Nazi prosperity and hospitality blinded the world, while Germany’s precisely directed propaganda campaign obscured their anti-Semitic, discriminatory and expansionist policies from view. Numerous nations that’d form the Allied Powers were present for carefully manufactured demonstrations of fervent German pride, while arguments stating participation in the Games were tantamount to an endorsement of fascism went unheard. And so, despite mentions of a potential boycott, the Games begun. Medals were even won by some Jewish and Black athletes, but it was Hitler who truly prospered. The Reich Chancellor turned the Games into an advertising campaign for his administration, with some asserting he successfully manipulated European powers into a complacency that allowed the Nazi regime to spread across Europe in subsequent years.

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