The Time US and Soviet Union Boycotted the Games
In a stark display of the political influence on sports, the US and the Soviet Union, two superpowers, used the Olympic Games as a point for political controversy. The US led a total of 65 countries to boycott the 1980 Olympics in Moscow due to the USSR’s invasion of Afghanistan. In retaliation, the Soviet Union plus 14 Eastern Bloc countries and allies boycotted the 1984 Olympics held in Los Angeles. Athletes had to bear the brunt of these political decisions, many of whom were denied the opportunity to compete on the world’s grandest stage.
Olympics Amidst the Haze of a Pandemic
The recent 2021 Tokyo Olympics was molding itself as another outrageous event in Olympic history due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event was postponed from 2020 to 2021 given the severity of the situation. However, the uncertainty and fear over the contagion still lingered, leading to an unprecedented Olympics without spectators. Yet, the event managed to keep the spirit of sport alive.
Black Power Salute of 1968
Setting the Stage
In another reflection of societal politics on the Olympic stage, two African-American athletes, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, used their medal-winning moment to silently protest against racial discrimination. It was during the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.
The Silent Protest
When the Star-Spangled Banner played, Smith and Carlos, gold and bronze medalists in the 200-meter race, stood tall with their heads bowed and a black-gloved fist raised in a Black Power salute. Their actions were greeted with a mixture of applause and boos, but this courageous and outrageous incident is remembered as a significant event, using the Olympic platform to protest inequality.
The Munich Massacre
The Munich Massacre is undoubtedly one of the darkest moments in Olympic history. During the 1972 Games, 11 Israeli athletes and a German police officer were taken hostage and killed by the Palestinian terrorist group “Black September”. This event escalated tensions and led to a suspension of the games for over 24 hours.
Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding Scandal
The Incident
Figure skating, usually considered an elegant sport, had an outrageous incident at the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics. It involved Nancy Kerrigan, an American figure skater, and her rival Tonya Harding.
The Attack
Prior to the games, Kerrigan was attacked by a man hired by Harding’s ex-husband, who wanted to injure Kerrigan to secure Harding’s place on the team. Kerrigan did recover from her injury and competed; however, the scandal surrounding this outrageous incident outshone the sport itself on the Olympic platform.
Ben Johnson and The Steroid Scandal
In Seoul 1988 Summer Olympics, Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson established a new world record in the 100m dash event only to be stripped of his title three days later. Johnson tested positive for anabolic steroids in the post-race drug testing, marking the beginning of the most infamous doping scandal in Olympic history. As a result, a campaign against performance-enhancing drugs was ignited, leading to more stringent doping regulations in the international sporting community.
Each of these events, scandalous and outrageous, contributed in their own ways to shaping the modern Olympics. They underlined the challenges that come with such a large-scale event but also highlighted the triumphs of human spirit and courage, even in the face of adversity.