The Olympic Games are a global platform where the world’s finest athletes come together and compete against each other for the ultimate prize, the gold medal. It is not only a game of glory, celebration and unity but also a symbol of hard work, dedication and excellence. But wait! What’s even an event without a bit of drama?
Behind the glimmer of Olympic medals and record-breaking performances lies the reality of drama and intrigue. From the Tommie and John’s black power salute in the 1968 Mexico Olympic games to Ben Johnson’s doping scandal in Seoul 1988, the history of Olympics is spiced with controversies that could easily beat a Grammy winning performance. Wait, it’s not over yet.
The Paris Olympic games 2024 has also added its own chapter to this book of scandals. Some jaw-dropping controversies have already taken center stage while keeping the Olympic flame burning with exciting twists and turns. So, what are we waiting for? Let’s dive into it.
Olympics Mexico, 1968 – The Black Power Salute
On 16th October 1968, Mexico City and the rest of the world witnessed one of the most iconic and controversial moments in the history of the Olympics. Two US athletes, Tommie Smith and John Carlos shocked the world with a silent protest. These two Olympians raised their fists in a Black Power salute on the podium when the US national anthem played.
The powerful move was made as a silent protest against racial discrimination. Despite controversies and backlash, their act became a symbol of courage and social justice for the black community. But, that was not it. Both the Olympians had to pay a heavy price for their bold act. Two years later, they were suspended from the US team and sent home.
Olympics Munich, 1972 – The Munich Massacre
On 5th September 1972, the Olympic celebration at Munich turned into a nightmare. A group of 5 Palestinian terrorists named “Black September” attacked the Olympic village. They killed two members of the Israeli team on the spot and took nine members hostage. Later, all 11 members were murdered by the terrorists leaving the world in shock.
The Olympic games were suspended for 34 hours and a mass was held to honor the lives of victims. Later, IOC President, Avery Brundage resumed the event by saying, “The Games must go on!” However, this horrifying event not only left the world with chills, but it also exposed the major security flaws at the event which led to this gut-wrenching incident.
Olympics Seoul, 1988 – Ben Johnson’s Doping Scandal
If only there was a medal for notoriety too. Ben Johnson’s victory was short-lived when he tested positive for anabolic steroids just three days after winning the gold medal in a 100-meter final race. The Canadian sprinter had set a new world record time of 9.79 seconds in the race.
After he tested positive, his medal of glory was stripped off and removed from the records of the Olympic games. Johnson’s scandal and ban from the sport was a wake-up call for all the other athletes. It also led to stricter anti-doping measures to prevent athletes from taking performance influencing drugs.
Olympics Lillehammer, 1994 – Attack on Nancy Kerrigan
Are you looking for some spice, action, and thrill? Welcome to the Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. On 6th January 1994 the Olympic games took a dark turn when the American skater, Nancy Kerrigan was attacked and struck in the knee with a baton. The one who attacked the Olympian was her rival, Tony Harding.
According to the investigation, it was believed that the attack was orchestrated by Tony’s ex-husband and bodyguard. But it was not enough to bring Nancy’s spirit down. The athlete won a silver medal even though she was suffering from a knee injury. This dramatic scandal grabbed the attention of people around the world and added a chapter to the Olympics history.
Olympics Sydney, 2000 – Lance Armstrong’s Confession
Lance’s long-lived glorious cycling career came crashing down when he finally confessed to long-denied drug doping allegations in 2013. It was in the Olympic games 2000 where he won a bronze medal but his strong confession and admission of guilt led to stripping off his glorious medal and a lifetime ban from the cycling contests.
Olympics Utah, 2002 – Salt Lake City Bribery Scandal
This scandal did not involve any attacks or doping cases but still, it shook the entire International Olympic Committee. The Winter Olympic games held at Salt Lake City Utah faced multiple bribery accusations. After an investigation, it was revealed that several IOC members accepted bribes in exchange for their votes to host the Olympics at Salt Lake City. Consequently they were expelled from the committee. This step was taken to maintain the integrity of the highly honored sport and its bidding process.
Olympics Rio de Janeiro, 2016 – Ryan Lochte’s Robbery Claim
The American swimmer, Ryan Lochte and his teammates made headlines for all the wrong reasons during the 2016 Olympic games. They claimed that they were mugged at gunpoint. Later, their story turned out to be fabricated. They basically cooked up this story as a cover-up for their vandalizing a gas station. This whole incident not only cast a shadow and embarrassment on the sport and Ryan’s glorious reputation but also led to his 10-month suspension from the sport.
Olympics Tokyo, 2020 – COVID-19 Challenges
The Tokyo 2020 Olympic games faced numerous obstacles.The COVID-19 pandemic led to the postponement of the tournament to 2021 which had never happened before. From facing failures in the bidding process to event location challenges, international issues, government conflicts, and strict quarantine measures, the game was full of pitfalls. But seeing the high spirit of athletes, Tokyo didn’t give up. It hosted an extraordinary but somber event while following strict health protocols.
Olympics 2024, Paris – Major Controversies
The Paris Olympic games 2024 has just kicked off and it is already making headlines with its bizarre drama and head-scratching controversies. Let’s take a look at a few of these stories that have made it to the global stage.
Spy Drones
New Zealand’s Olympic Committee reported that they spotted a flying drone around their women’s soccer team practice and training area. When investigated, it was found that the drone was controlled by a staff member of the Canada team with the intention to spy. Guess what? Canada happens to be the key rival team of New Zealand.
“The Last Supper” Controversy
The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic games 2024 was a star-studded event with performances by Lady Gaga, Aya Nakamura, and many more. What grabbed the attention of the world was the drag performance by drag queens and artists. They re-enacted the final meal of Jesus with his apostles which closely resembled Leonardo Da Vinci’s iconic renaissance painting, “The Last Supper”.
While some applauded the bold move of the performers, others called it a “mockery” and an “insult” to the Christian community. The controversial performance also faced backlash by the former US President, Donald Trump who called it “a disgrace” while Elon Musk also showed his disappointment towards the performance.
The Hijab Controversy
Another controversy caught the spotlight at the Olympic games 2024. The French sprinter, Sounkamba Sylla showed major disappointment through her social media posts. She said that she was not allowed to participate in the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics because of her hijab according to France’s prohibition rule. Later, French Sport’s Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra said that she could participate in the ceremony by covering her hair in such a way that doesn’t appear religious.
The Next Chapter
The Olympics have never failed to entertain the world with its extraordinary performances and undeniable talent. However, controversies add an extra layer of drama, excitement, and complexity to the grand spectacle. Likewise, the Olympic games 2024 is turning out to be no less. We are sure that along with exceptional performances by the athletes, the tradition of controversies and scandals will continue too. So, hold on tight and enjoy this rollercoaster ride.
