Top 20 Most Scandalous Olympic Controversies Ever

[@WatchMojo]

Which of these do you find the most outrageous? Let us know in the comments below! For everything Olympics, check out our playlist!: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqS1iX-HaN98oq8

[@Allmenshouldrespectallwomen]

Top ten LGBT television characters

[@thejoker8293]

No.20

[@luisledezma96]

Top 10 horror video games opening scenes

[@heypatk]

the worst scandal is you ignoring the slaughter of Israeli athletes during the 1972 olympic games

[@paulmeade4862]

The most outrageous was the way the narrator treated the 1972 basketball championship. She acted like the Americans were in the wrong

[@EllieYuki]

A big one is the Paralympic 2000 summer games where Spain's winning intellectually disabled basketball team was made up of men with no disabilities

[@amamsurri5454]

One man was disabled but the other members weren't

[@souljynx]

@@amamsurri5454 two were disabled actually

[@carhawara3394]

@@souljynx and i bet they didnt knew it before

[@Aeoxander]

Yeah it was... they're spanish.

[@michaelalvarado9950]

Sounds like a Jhonny Noxvill movie. Or a good episode of South park

[@carlstawicki1915]

Another big controversy was falsely accusing Richard Jewell of the Atlanta bombing. He was actually a hero who saved a lot of lives.

[@HamboneyGamezYT]

Thanks for saying that....

[@Noone-jn3jp]

who actually did it. i can’t remember the details

[@WeaponXI666]

@@Noone-jn3jp IIRC it was Eric Rudolph.

[@arianebolt1575]

@@Noone-jn3jp I think they tried to avoid broadcasting the guy's name, since that's what he was after.

[@Noone-jn3jp]

@@arianebolt1575 As we should with all people of their ilk. This is the first summer olympics i remember

[@56postoffice]

Tommie Smith and John Carlos were banned by the IOC for their so called Black Power salute in 1968. Peter Norman, who won silver in that race supported their cause and for that support had his whole country of Australia turning against him. He never wavered even though that stopped him representing his country again. Ostracised and denied employment, he stuck by his principles and stood up against injustice right to the end. At his funeral, who helped carry his coffin? Tommie and John. Friends for life.

[@ComaDave]

It was also Peter who suggested they each wear one of Tommie's gloves, as Carlos had forgot to bring a pair. That's why they have different hands raised. The treatment Peter received here was a disgrace, but it was such a touching gesture to have the two guys as pallbearers. ✊

[@789uio6y]

Well done to IOC☺☺☺ Never BLM should take a part in sport!

[@Watcher413]

Olympics is for sports NOT politics of your own country and country’s shouldn’t use the Olympics for politics.

[@akinokusami3623]

That is one of the most enduring parts of this tale of humanity. People don't know that all 3 were protesting up there on that podium! Smith & Carlos as pall bearers at Peter Norman's (who was treated disgracefully by the Australian authorities & public) funeral is one of the most undertold stories in the fight for civil rights. These 3 guys exemplify the phrase: "never compromise; not even in the face of armageddon!"

[@belletaunde102]

@@Watcher413 sure. However when it comes to using his platform to stand up for his fellow man, he can be applauded for taking that risk. Sports aren't everything. The impact that you have on the world with your life is.

[@wyattderp581]

Peter Norman deserved better from Australia. Took until 2006 for him to be recognised as a successful Australian athlete. He's an Aussie legend!

[@yellowlynx]

He's a hero by himself for supporting Smith and Carlos.

[@coolcal19]

Amen to that. 🙏🙏🙏

[@heusie18]

Still holds the Australian record for the 200m, 54 years later.

[@finished6267]

Australia is backwards and racist. The citizens are world class though.

[@havanadaurcy1321]

Black gangs matter, right Peter?

[@Muhammadwasapedo]

"The media couldn't decide who to blame" is a very eye opening quote. Since when does the media decide what is the truth?

[@LLlap]

Since inception.

[@stevehill9673]

for at least the last decade or so the media has been 'tailoring' the news to make people believe what they want them to.

[@J3diMindTrix]

​@@stevehill9673 Most definitely. Mainstream news is now just propaganda. You have to look beyond the big networks to get any degree of truth. Independent sources are the only ones free from heavy bias and political partisanship. Timcast is one I would recommend, as well as WION/ Gravitas, China Uncensored, and Jake Tran, to name a few. Have a look at them and then the blatant editorialising and tailoring of facts to prop up a particular narrative of the typical news agencies will become readily and quickly apparent, and the fact they hide what's news if anything, rather than report on it... sadly, the public generally doesn't know because they remain under the spell of their news sources they agree with that tell them what they want to hear (and not what's actually happening)

[@richardtherichard26]

Since roughly 2014 when they started to pretend donald trump was “racist”

[@robpolaris7272]

In the 2016 Presidential election in the US, Trump had won but the media kept waiting for something to “change”. Trump came out and said he had won. The media came back saying “Nobody is President until we announce it” If you like or hate Trump, Imagine that level of arrogance that the media thinks they “run” the US.

[@neneolivares6743]

Let’s never forget that Kurt angle won a gold medal with a BROKEN FREAKING NECK!

[@theluchabrotha1175]

Best comment here

[@badouplus1304]

And how is it related to this video ?

[@neneolivares6743]

@@badouplus1304 exactly

[@chada75]

Yes. But not scandalous, just Awesome.

[@neneolivares6743]

@@chada75 I agree and I know it has nothing to do with this video but while I was watching it that’s all I could think of lol

[@callmelyn73]

I thought the 1972 Munich games where two Israelis died and nine were taken hostage would be on this list.

[@PhinneusPrune]

What did you expect ... this is Watchmojo.

[@tanmaybhadauria5423]

Even though it is watchmojo, they can't leave out the Berlin games

[@jayp5359]

I'm gobsmacked it wasn't number 1

[@Ori_Shaked]

The 9 hostages were killed too later. Anything other than first place or at least 2nd (with the nazi propaganda in first) is outrageous and disrespectful to the victims

[@grimgamertv]

I was expecting that as well. Pretty disappointed they didn't even mention the fact the entire Olympic team save for one got massacred...

[@alysonshorthouse8858]

I'm going to say the 2012 badminton scandal was pretty big. 4 sets of doubles deliberately playing to lose. Im biased because I was officiating for the first one and it was shocking

[@raimarulightning]

The very thought of going to the Olympics and trying to lose just baffles me.

[@amazingabby25]

What, where can I learn about that, how did you officiate badminton

[@blablablaj]

What does officiating means ? What did you do exactly -?

[@willdallas53]

@@blablablaj you don’t know what a referee is?

[@willdallas53]

@@raimarulightning They weren’t trying to lose the olympics, they were just trying to get a better matchup. Apparently, unlike in most sports where you play to get the best seed possible so you play the worst team possible ( like in ncaa where 1 plays 16, 2 plays 15, etc etc) badminton seeds you with the next highest ranked team so 1 plays 2, 3 plays 4, etc) so if you lost your first match than you could play a team that’s on the bottom of the rankings. You could end up an 8 seed playing a legitimate 7 seed, win that one match and your on the podium.

[@laryssalapa2064]

Really… People are still trying to save face for Lochte? Even after camera recordings and his own admission? Shameful.

[@patrickracer43]

I mainly blame NBC (mainly Billy Bush) for making the incident worse

[@misstaylorxd]

I saw the video and i could believe there are people still on their side. This is incredible :(

[@lornarettig3215]

He’s awful, isn’t he ☹️

[@ZhangtheGreat]

It's because he's hot. I guarantee you that nobody would stand by him if he was ugly.

[@agalgonzalez]

What a fool making up a false crime and getting recorded on videotape with bright blonde hair in Brazil! That narrowed the suspects fown by 98% percent

[@necromora666]

You forgot the 1904 Olympics where one dude literally hitched a ride during a foot race 😂

[@Anita_sensei]

I know Jon Bois made a good video about it

[@Kaddywompous]

What I wouldn’t give to see a Coen Bros movie about that whole race.

[@manueltapia1859]

Those were a dissaster olympics, and in marathon the winner take a ride and one take a nap and later won hehe

[@naahmahlamia5653]

And everyone else almoat died the winner was a dude who drank rat poison because they didnt have water stations

[@naahmahlamia5653]

@@manueltapia1859 the guy who won was the guy on rat poison lol who got the peaches stole by a guy who got chased by a dog

[@ItsJustRyansChannel]

The only pairs figure skating team I care about is Michaels and MacElroy. 🤠

[@-cali-gbpacker559]

🤣

[@riggs2992]

Lets capture the dream

[@Garland042]

yepp, only team to nail the iron lotus!

[@chriscripplercruz1833]

Haha I just watched that yesterday

[@SansoHumar]

Loved that movie. It’s mind bottling

[@madabbafan]

I know this is the Olympics but the 2000 Paralympic basketball for those with learning difficulties tops the lot. Spain won the gold but it was later found that they had faked documents to get players with no learning difficulties into the team and into other events to win medals to gain more sponsorship.

[@vivianmansur6095]

What they did to Vila Autódromo should never be forgotten. I'm from Rio and it was enraging and painful to see what the people there went through.

[@MostlyPennyCat]

I really hoped after London 2012 nations would see there was a better way. I have been crushingly disappointed. Rio, Tokyo, so many let downs. Hopefully our brothers in Paris can cheer me up. I've seen the desolation left after Rio, abandoned everything. Absolutely shocking but sadly expected. 😢 You have our endless sympathies. ☕🧐👍🇬🇧

[@D_Go...33]

I would love to see a top 20 worst Mojo's ever

[@2CanSam1000]

List would take to long to narrow down to just 20 my friend

[@PublicLandAdvocate]

This one would be n the list.

[@pandabearmadness6263]

Roy Jones Jr losing gold was so upsetting

[@thefredo1000]

A very important event that is left out is the Tlatelolco Massacre

[@manueltapia1859]

It is true despite happened days before, saludos desde México!!!

[@nerosteel5786]

The way I see it, this is especially about athlete entries, in which none of the massacres or terrorist attacks are mentioned

[@thedevilsrockstxr2309]

I mean it happened before the Olympics, 10 days to be exact, so wht does tht have to do with the Olympics

[@robkitchen5344]

@@thedevilsrockstxr2309 ajhh it happened to members of an Olympic team ...in the official Olympic dorms. In tje city that tje games were about to take place Ahhhh what the hell more.dp you need to make a connection???

[@robkitchen5344]

@@thedevilsrockstxr2309 oh my bad...i didn't notice that rag on your head.. .explains your statement.

[@redpandamurphy]

In equine showjumping, an Irishman was riding on their horse for the qualifying round. It got to the last obstacle. Suddenly, someone ran across the horse causing it to be frightened and not perform the last jump. The guy who was responsible for scaring the horse wasn't reprimanded and the jockey wasn't allowed to have another go.

[@Paige-pk8dr]

Never heard of that one but it made me wonder if something worse happened like the rider fell then they could of easily gotten seriously injured. What would of happened then?

[@redpandamurphy]

@@Paige-pk8dr That is a very serious concern that showjumpers do face when they are riding their horse. Fall off wrong and you could easily be damaged beyond repair.

[@foxymetroid]

@@redpandamurphy The guy who played Superman in the 1970s Superman movies was paralyzed for life after a horse riding accident.

[@dspsblyuth]

That’s total horseshit

[@dspsblyuth]

@@redpandamurphy that’s what took out Superman

[@aj_killjoy]

I’m glad you mention that the Australian sprinter also supported the stance that the two others were taking because everyone I talk to always forgets that

[@traj7196]

He also gave the US athletes the gloves

[@pattierotondo1108]

The Olympics not a place for political statements. They ruined the lives of a lot of people with that stunt.

[@aj_killjoy]

@@pattierotondo1108 What “people got hurt”? lmao Bro thought we were gonna agree with him lol By “people”, you mean a bunch of old white guys who didn’t want those guys competing in the first place?

[@MDVBIGDADDYQ007]

It appears that,lots of people clearly DON'T understand the difference between CONTROVERSY and MURDER/MASSACRE ! Sincerely, A Crayon eating Marine

[@sensarmy]

Ikr lots of people in the comments

[@PrinceIsot]

The crayon eating part made laugh 😂

[@eph2vv89only1way]

One I remember was Ross Rubigliotti who was stripped of his gold medal for snowboarding because he tested positive for marijuana, then had the medal reinstated because marijuana wasn’t a banned substance at the time, marijuana is not performance enhancing, and because the amount in his sample was only the equivalent of having smoked 17 BILLIONTHS of a gram

[@zachwalker522]

For number 11. You didn't mention the fact that they restarted the final three seconds three times form two sections of the court Frist from the. Full Court line , then twice form half court. And only said that the game was over when USA lost. Pure bullshit

[@tulkdog]

Yeah, that was a very dumbed down telling of those events

[@lexkanyima2195]

Was it more pressure ? And she said in not going in detail

[@shawnchandler8719]

I was about to say the same thing, but wanted to see if anyone else had mentioned it. She made it sound like a case of sour grapes. I get it's a bit to explain, but there was no issue giving the back story on other controversies on the list.

[@johnanderson9765]

@@shawnchandler8719 I concur, she needed to go more into detail. If I didn't know the situation, I would accuse team USA of being sore losers based on her description of events.

[@Josh-ut4wv]

The issue was they need to actually talk about what happened as it was pure and simple cheating and I don't think the US has ever picked up the silver medal as they didn't even show up to the ceremony

[@pmwiky]

How on earth did this list fail to mention the 1972 Munich Massacre? That should have been NUMBER 1

[@spdutahraptor777]

Because it's about controversies....not tragedies

[@disneyfan8178]

@@spdutahraptor777 Actually there is a controversy in regard to the Munich Massacre. To this day, the IOC will not acknowledge it, or sanction ceremonies honoring it, for fear of upsetting Arab nations!

[@spdutahraptor777]

@@disneyfan8178 you said it yourself, the massacre on itself isn't the controversy......the controversy is the IOC not acknowledging it when the US pays tribute every 9/11, they don't pay tribute to the conspiracy theories surrounding the whole thing.... they pay tribute to the people that died when the planes hit the towers

[@dickdongler1044]

I was 9 years old when that happened I remember it very well I got to stay up late to watch it also how can you have the 1936 Olympics without mentioning Jesse Owens defeating the German Supermen

[@andrewmccoy831]

Tied with the 1936 Games

[@yellowlynx]

For the "Black Power Salute", the Australian Peter Norman is one heck of a hero by himself.

[@BubblesTheBard]

Agreed, he was a great ally.

[@havanadaurcy1321]

Malcolm X thinks that was a bad idea: The liberal elements of whites are those who have perfected themselves to the Negro as a friend of the Negro. Getting sympathy of the Negro, getting the allegiance of the Negro, and getting the mind of the Negro. Then the Negro sides with the white liberal, and the white liberal use the Negro against the white conservative,” he said. “…white conservatives aren’t friends of the Negro either, but at least they don’t try to hide it."

[@Rockhound6165]

However, anyone saying white power is a white supremacist and a racist. Funny how that is.

[@onetruemorty7642]

Some of these were dark! My favorite 'controversy' was when Australia banned Dawn Fraser from swimming competitions (for 10 years!) after she tried to steal an Olympic flag in Tokyo, 1964. It was a prank that backfired when the police caught her. It's controversial because the Japanese police let her go when they realized she was an Olympian (and even gave her a flag). But Australia still banned her. The only other one I can think of is the deadly luge track from Vancouver winter olympics, 2010. They wanted to make the fastest track but the design had flaws. There were accidents and a Georgian athlete died. I assume the terrorist attacks were left out because they are crimes not scandals? PS - From your list - the Black Power moment is number 1 for me. It was heroic and positive! Most scandals are negative :( It's a timeless moment that is still relevant. All three athletes were vilified. They did nothing wrong. Athletes are still punished for making similar protests. I also LOVE the statue. The statue was originally going to include Peter Norman because he supported their protest. However, Norman suggested leaving his position empty so people could feel what he felt when he stood with them. A beautiful idea!

[@pattierotondo1108]

Smith and Carlos disgraced the SJSU track program and spoiled things for MANY athletes who no longer had a place to compete. Politics and protests are EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN at the Olympics, so anyone doing them SHOULD be punished by getting their medals stripped and being banned permanently. There was NOTHING positive about what they did. I attended SJSU and I stopped donating ANY money after they built that statue. It was an insult to the other athletes from "Speed City" and they wrecked the program. It was an ill-considered stunt that is against the Olympic rules.

[@BunnEFartz]

I'm Canadian and I well remember the 1988 100M final. You could clearly see by Ben Johnson's added muscle that he had been doping. It's just frustrating knowing that everybody else in that race had been doping as well.

[@lexkanyima2195]

It's visible how

[@BunnEFartz]

@@lexkanyima2195 Take a look at Johnson at the European Championships from about six months earlier and then look at him at the Olympics. You can't add that much mass in that amount of time without juice. Same with Barry Bonds of the MLB. It was obvious.

[@lexkanyima2195]

@@BunnEFartz it's so scary to see it

[@kissit012]

If they were all doping, then it’s fair

[@donsmeltzer4083]

The only thing newsworthy about Ben Johnson is that he got caught.

[@fromlittlethings6275]

The 2021 Tokyo games have even more scandals not mentioned here. The uniform rules for women in two Olympic Games: beach volleyball and gymnastics were called to attention as a team from each of these events chose to wear more practical clothing for these events but got huge fines because it was against the rules, even though the clothing did not effect performance.

[@sophiewarden3018]

Peter Norman also gave the other athletes the gloves, hence why they salute using opposite hands. All three men used their platform for good and THAT is the true power of sport

[@edsnotgod]

Or it's deplorable and selfish

[@lisamac1986]

@@edsnotgod no that's just you

[@edsnotgod]

Yeah a lot of good Black Power did the 9 month old toddler of color, Darius Grigsby

[@pattierotondo1108]

@@edsnotgod Absolutely. They disgraced the SJSU track program and it was totally gone within ten years of their disgraceful behavior. They ruined more opportunity for minority athletes than any good they think they did.

[@BlameMonte]

Her voice infamous and iconic

[@taeblends]

I literally just came here from the Tom Holland video where he's like "oh no way!! you're the watch mojo lady???"

[@SpareSomeChange8080]

I think you're going to need another "top 20" compilation dedicated *just* for the Paris Olympics 😂

[@alicedelgado955]

you forgot the 1972 Olympics Munich Massacre.

[@karapalin]

This video is just about scandals and controversies.

[@arianebolt1575]

We know what happened.

[@tatianatatum4182]

The way you sound italian while saying portuguese words made my day ahahahah

[@penquin402]

I'm from Oklahoma and pretty much every single person from Oklahoma knows about Jim Thorpe. He is hero to Oklahoma and his tribe Sac and Fox Nation. It sucks what the IOC did to him. Also what about the Chinese artistic gymnasts who were thought to be underage.

[@paulsolon6229]

In high school, Jim Thorpe was the schools second best athlete. But he kept at it, the other guy didn’t, or got hurt

[@fritzvanlonden1388]

Wait a minute... there was controversy in Olympic boxing? Boxing has always been such an upfront and honest sport... I just can't believe it! 😉

[@christineparis5607]

😂😂😂

[@disneyfan8178]

Let's not forget what happened to Evander Holyfield in '84 (but we probably have).

[@usaskjock]

@@disneyfan8178 not to mention Canadian Mike Strange in the 1996 Olympics robbed of at least a bronze medal in his QF match

[@belletaunde102]

😂😂😂 the most honest there is!

[@dennishendrikx3228]

Ben Johnson still blames everyone, except himself. So you still didn't learn.

[@MrSniperfox29]

Johnson admitted he was a cheat (which is more than most do) and never claimed he was innocent, but also pointed out others did the same and got away with it. More than likely, he's telling the truth and the IOC used him as a sacrifice to "prove" they were cracking down on drug cheats.

[@postyman86]

Peter Normal was vilified for just being there! That poor man.

[@phtuber5469]

He was wearing the bagde as you can see in the picture. So yes he was supporting them and not just standing there. They way he was treated in Australia for this during the next few decades was just shameful and its sad he didn't live to see the end of it.

[@postyman86]

@Wynn Wynn Oh i know he was supporting them, It was Norman who suggested that Smith and Carlos share the black gloves used in their salute

[@postyman86]

@@phtuber5469 I never claimed he wasn't supporting them? I know he was and he is a champion for it. It's very sad how they treated him. His nephew made a doco about him called 'Salute' and it's worth a watch.

[@postyman86]

@Wynn Wynn Yes, but what i was point out is the fact that he got hate also for just being there. Says a lot about society back then.

[@phtuber5469]

@@postyman86 My bad, Its just that you didn't specify in the comment so I thought you didn't know the details of what happened. Also thanks for the extra info, I didn't know that there was a doco about him. I'll watch it for sure.

[@Snowfang00]

Im surprised Indigenous runner Cathy Freeman's victory lap at the Sydney 2000 Olympics wasn't on here. She did a victory lap after winning the 400m final with an australian indigenous flag along with the australian flag. At the time, the indigenous flag wasn't officially recognised by the IOC so it was considered illegal.

[@imcoming3952]

her voice is the most iconic idc

[@PhinneusPrune]

I disagree

[@BillyRayCoolAF]

Who is "her"?

[@ivaneurope]

The awarding of the centennial (1996) Olympics to Atlanta over Athens was controversial, yet not even getting a honourable mention

[@owenfitzgerald3219]

The first Greek Olympians would weep seeing the filth and corruption the Olympics has become riddled with.

[@andrewwinslow9315]

Before Watching, I better see the Spanish "paralympic" basketball team

[@chachovalgame]

@@albertoromero5075 Guillotina por qué, aquello fue una puta vergüenza tan gorda que borró un deporte olímpico.

[@chachovalgame]

@@albertoromero5075 Hola xD

[@mariod1547]

The thumbnail is hilarious. The refs face is priceless

[@jamesvogel759]

International Olympic events should be the opportunity for Olympic athletes from all countries to display their athletic performances on the world stage without interference from politicians and governments of any and all nations.

[@TK__DC]

I was coached by Ervin Zador when I used to swim competitively. Our pool is named after him. He was an amazing coach and human. Grateful to be able to gain knowledge from such a man.

[@marcelrenes2435]

Another scandal was the Tokyo Hotel. Athletes who tested positive for Covid-19 were locked up. It was a prison where you sat in solitary cofinment. No contact with anyone. Even now there are (ex-) athletes who get therapy to get over this. The food was terrible. Windows were locked. One athlete even made a picture of herself with a paper where she asked if she could get a hamburger.

[@grandmastermario3695]

Those athletes who falsley claimed they been robbed but yet committed the crimes themselves, are truly awful and disgusting truly despicable human beings, they should never be allowed to get an opportunity like the Olympics ever again truly awful.

[@Rockhound6165]

I guess you missed the part when it was discovered they did nothing wrong.

[@grandmastermario3695]

@@Rockhound6165 if there innocent then why are they on this list, shouldn't of put them on this list

[@Rockhound6165]

@@grandmastermario3695 because it was a scandal. Being accused of something you didn't do is a scandal, no? And it's they're nor there.

[@margegarland7635]

There was also questions about the condition of the area in Rio as well.

[@madabbafan]

Not to mention the green water in the diving pool

[@iccarus1975]

21:00 Where's the Australian? He coped backlash too, he gave them the gloves, he supported them, and those athletes, came to his funeral, he was shunned, lost his job, support. Only years later did he get recognition for what he did. Such a shame he was omitted from that statue, that's a real insult to his memory

[@janineelvin3139]

He actually asked not to be part of the statue - he said he wanted his spot empty so that other people could stand with Smith and Carlos as well.

[@Paige-pk8dr]

@@janineelvin3139 correct me if I'm wrong doesn't he have his own statue in Australia that Carlos and Smith fully supported?

[@BatCaveOz]

@@Paige-pk8dr I don't know about a statue, but there is a huge mural of the famous picture (with all 3 athletes) near Richmond Station, in Melbourne.

[@jlynn2724]

I remember watching the '02 figure skating final. The Canadian routine was *exquisite.*

[@colleenross8752]

Having both teams share the gold was the right call

[@lornarettig3215]

What a lovely thing to say 🥰

[@donsmeltzer4083]

@@colleenross8752 no, it wasn't. The Russian woman fell in their routine and the Canadian pair did their routine flawlessly. The Russians didn't deserve gold.

[@chriscripplercruz1833]

How am I just now hearing about the front kick to the officials head that was craziness

[@chrispanossian]

I used to compete in Kenpo-Judo tournaments, the medical timeout was also 60 seconds. Total BS! In boxing and wrestling a medical timeout is as long as the ring doctor needs to examine and clear or disqualify the competitor. I would have kicked the judge too.

[@johnanderson9765]

The obscurity of taekwondo as an Olympic event may be a factor.

[@adamgriss2025]

I still get angry when I think about how Ben Johnson was singled out for punishment. Like in cycling at the time, all the top athletes were doping. Shame on the IOC for the selective implementation of the rules on testing and shame on the media for their terrible reporting and lack of integrity. What Ben did was wrong, but his treatment afterwards was even worse.

[@gejamugamlatsoomanam7716]

If its not white its not right The ioc motto

[@vm6824]

Exactly. Carl Lewis was the dirtiest of them all.

[@Gazowen-qz5xy]

​@@vm6824linford Christie as well

[@dunningkruger3774]

The Ben Johnson doping scandal reminds me of the Lance Armstrong doping story. Everyone was doping....one was punished.

[@Gazowen-qz5xy]

No linford Christie did get punished Carl Lewis didn't though

[@aridddle]

They get the biggest name or face of the sport in an effort, albeit usually a failed one, to minimize future usage throughout the sport. It's the cut of the head of the snake method in simpler terms.

[@jeanjacques9365]

@@aridddle for once with Armstrong, it was an american at least... Lewis failed a test during the U.S qualifications yet american delegation and him personally cried the hardest to see Johnson stripped. The U.S has no legitimacy or moral high ground when they talk about the Russian or Chinese doping programs it is what it is they are right up there with the same shenanigans but they have more political power to get their athletes back in competition such as Gatlin...

[@Gazowen-qz5xy]

@@jeanjacques9365 spot on

[@aracelichely2954]

Can't take seriously any list that left out Sochi 2014 (individual woman figure skating competition and doping scandals principally) and of course the Tlatelolco and Munich massacre.

[@taeblends]

Did I come here just to see if Rebecca, the watch mojo lady, was still narrating videos? Yes, yes I did.

[@ajpringle03]

I don’t see what’s controversial about the BLM thing. The Olympic committee have never allowed political statements and gear to be shown. It’s nothing new

[@DaviRBify]

then we should stop using flags and anthems in it.

[@ajpringle03]

@@DaviRBify That ain’t political. That would defeat the point of the Olympics too. It’s an INTERNATIONAL sporting event. I don’t think they allow the LGBTQ and Trans flag either

[@lollol9772]

@@ajpringle03 lol wet wipe

[@ajpringle03]

@@lollol9772 Wet Wipe?

[@LLlap]

BLM is itself controversial. The fact that a radical US political movement made an appearance on the worldwide stage is scandalous enough. Ban all those athletes who gladly sell out to Chinese slavers.

[@SKIMER]

Wait, why is a backflip in skating forbidden? If she knows how to do it and she's not afraid of breaking her neck, then in my opinion she should get extra points instead

[@SynVT_]

I would assume that if she is rewarded, it entices more people to do the same and increase risk of injury/death

[@Personalmeaccount]

So other skaters had done the backflips and it’s been banned almost 2 decades before she competed it at the Olympics. This was because it was deemed too dangerous and not fitting the requirements of figure skating jumps. Also she must have known she was not going to win at the point in her programme when she decided to do the backflip because she’d made a few huge mistakes and even if the backflip wasn’t illegal to perform, she probably would still not have won. I think she did it for vibes but it’s mad how it’s been twisted into this race thing when it’s not and there are probably better examples in figure skating that can be used to call out the race issues in the sport.

[@argella1300]

Other people have noted how dangerous it is. But with this particular skater, there’s a history of racism and discrimination against her

[@colleenbaten2482]

The backflip is banned because most skaters when performing the skill land on two feet and jumps in figure skating ate supposed to be completed landing on one foot. The controversy with Surya is that she performed it and landed on one foot. I think it boiled down to they didn't what to encourage her to perform a jump that wasn't approved.

[@Personalmeaccount]

@@argella1300 Yeah so the issue is though that might be true, because figure skating now definitely has racist undertones, it’s be dumb to say it didn’t in the 90s. However there’s this narrative that she should have won the Olympics and the only reason she didn’t win was because of racism which just isn’t true. It takes away and undermines the victory of the people that actually deservedly won. It also takes the attention from people talking about real cases where there was racism. Decades later, people are talking about how Surya didn’t win because of racism but that’s not really adding to the conversation that actually needs to be had about how there’s so much in figure skating that needs to be changed because it perpetuates racism and sexism which puts figure skaters at risk, especially young girls who have experienced sexual assault.

[@becsmacdonald]

By the way figure skating is still corrupt. They’ve just changed the scoring system to make it harder for people to see it

[@sakukoivu911]

I mean, there’s legit documents shown in the documentary “bigger, stronger and faster” proving Carl Lewis also tested positive for doping…

[@lornarettig3215]

I’ve read that too. Having braces on your teeth in your 30s isn’t normal… and is a tell-tale sign of steroid use. Best long-jumper ever, but far from a role model.

[@guessundheit6494]

Yanks are unwilling to admit to their own cheating. They fixed events in 1984 to ensure they "broke" the Soviet gold medal record of 1980. Including one boxing match that screwed a South Korean out of a medal. 1988 was payback.

[@jj-if6it]

Thank you for pronouncing Melbourne correctly!

[@ma53jg]

This is interesting information. Thanks for the list!

[@frick_dude5017]

Literally NOTHING about Munich??? What the hell.

[@vaibanez17]

Wait, how was Marion Jones not on here? Or Charles Barkley talking terrible about i think Angola?

[@fritzvanlonden1388]

It wasn't that Sir Charles said some bad things... he blatantly elbowed one of their players in the chest and bodyslamed another.

[@fritzvanlonden1388]

@@okaeT Oh, I agree. I wasn't meaning it was anything controversial... I was answering a question and giving the blow by blow of Sir Charles' part in the game. I mean, how "controversial" could it be if AFTER the game, Barkley was signing the other players jerseys and shaking hands with some of them? What he did (and what he does during NBA games) is what other players do all the time... he just puts emphasis on his play. He's a BIG bad man!

[@ColonelSebastianDoyle]

I wonder if anything happened in 1972 that might be missing from this list? 🤔

[@Zodia195]

@9:38- I remember hearing a story that the French judge for the Pairs made a deal that she would vote for Russia if a Russian Judge would vote for a French pair in the Figure Skating Dancing competition (which they did win, but it was a fair win). I remember watching the Pairs Final and yeah Canada was technically and artistically perfect and Russia did make one technical mistake. I may not be a figure skating expert, but even I could tell when a mistake was made. What WatchMojo fail to mention was how this controversy changed how judging with be done in Figure skating.

[@donsmeltzer4083]

Everyone from the crowd watching the competition to the commentators knew that there was something malodourous about the judging. The Russian woman fell in their routine. All the Canadian pair had to do was skate a clean routine and they did. It was because the American media would not let this story go that the Canadian pair were awarded gold. The Russians should have been stripped of their gold and given silver instead of being allowed to keep their gold medals.

[@Pancho_XI]

What about 1996 Atlanta olympics when they rob the Philippines its first gold medal? Onyok Velasco (PH) vs Daniel Petrov (BG) in boxing

[@laurennic]

Not sure if I missed it but, how about the 96 Atlanta Olympics bombing. That should have been top 5.

[@vincentknight27]

Wait, there are Olympic bids where bribery was going on? As a Fifa World Cup fan I am completely shocked!

[@rsrocha1984]

Really Mojo, you gonna throw a bone to Loch?

[@malakcanvas]

Surya Bonaly said "watch this". And there was nothing wrong with the Black Power salute!! Think if Jesse Owens had done the same, if it were a thing, during the Berlin Olympics against the other salutes!

[@56postoffice]

The Nazis do their salutes at those games, nothing is said. And you can't get more political than that. Yet, Tommie Smith and John Carlos get kicked out of the sport for raising their fists against injustice.

[@PunksloveTrumpys]

@@56postoffice I have to take issue with "nothing is said", it looks like you're deliberately ignoring any history which doesn't support your worldview. The 1936 Berlin Olympics were hugely controversial at the time, there were massive protests all around the world and many boycotts. An enormous number of people objected to all displays by the Nazi regime, and the IOC was ostracised for decades afterward for letting it go ahead!

[@pattierotondo1108]

The political statements are expressly forbidden in the Olympic rules. I am glad that people doing them get their medals stripped and they are permanently banned. They are a disgrace to their team. Surya Bonaly knew the rules too. Scott Hamilton did backflips LONG before she did and it was outlawed. If she didn't want to deal with the backlash, then don't break the rules.

[@EmilyElizabethxox]

Hello, it’s 3 years later Ask Mojo, you’ve got a whole new video to make. 😂

[@blaizegottman4139]

This is a great video since the Olympics is here

[@masid1863]

Big controversy Onyok should have the 1st Olympic gold medal for the philippines, but the judge cheated the score.

[@sarahrosa3763]

Mary Decker's behavior in the days after "the incident" was a perfect example of poor sportsmanship.

[@stephenreeds3632]

Aided by her British husband. Disgraceful.

[@paulsolon6229]

And dishonesty

[@W1ckedSt1ck]

Oh boy you need a part 2. I think it will be an hour long 😂😂😂

[@dougerrohmer]

Zola Budd didn't collide with Mary Decker. That implies that it was Zola's fault and it wasn't.

[@mariajoaoalmeida4]

Agreed

[@LucienSabre]

Except the video states clearly and multiple times that the two racers collided into each other (more than once during the race) and neither of them is at fault. Maybe next time don’t stop at the position’s title but listen to the whole segment before commenting?

[@dougerrohmer]

​@@LucienSabre Aha, but what if I want to use my own eyes and look for myself? What if I had watched multiple videos and know that Mary Decker Slaney is a selfcentered opinionated beeyatch and Zola is a timid little girl? Huh? Huh? Isn't that better than making an opinion based on one video? Huh?

[@LucienSabre]

@@dougerrohmer Sorry, did you say something? Other than “huh?”, I mean.

[@dougerrohmer]

@@LucienSabre Yes I did. In fact, I won our little internet bout.

[@AdmiralBison]

The Olympics seems like: 50% Political 30% Drugs, corruption and cheating 20% Athletic spirit, celebration and unity.

[@rezwarrior615]

wonder if they called Michael Thorpe native American and European back then

[@nerosteel5786]

Technically that would make him a Mestizo I believe... Also calling him that would be weird, kinda racist when taking US's new modern standards in consideration

[@lexkanyima2195]

@@nerosteel5786 what do you mean by that ?

[@jocelyncooper1738]

Back then he would have been considered Native American, especially given the fact that he was born in Oklahoma. Most states back then had rules, rather written or unwritten, that if a child was born to one white parent and one non white parent they were listed as the race of the non-white parent or with the more general rearm “colored”. I found this out went looking for family members in old census and north records.

[@lexkanyima2195]

@@jocelyncooper1738 it's a dangerous statement

[@kissit012]

They definitely did not. Every racial slur in the book, however, yes

[@neliaironwood7573]

Thanks to this video, I now know the Olympics played a part on Hitler's boost in popularity during World War 2.

[@amaizeing.dumbass5123]

Well, for him, that was the plan. Millions of people in the last century also believe that was the idea. But nobody before the end of the war knew the extremes he was capable of

[@traj7196]

During? You DO know the Olympics were 3 years before the war, right?

[@bobkatfan2013]

Uh, 1972 Munich? A tea, gets massacred and the games still go on?

[@manueltapia1859]

Agree should been number one!!! They also missed their own 96 olympics there was a bombing by ironically a us citizen!!!

[@imgoingonamarch]

Not really to be classified as a controversy, more of a massacre as you said. Only non-English speakers think this should’ve been included

[@Jman417]

This list is weak with the Munich Massacre and Marion Jones doping scandal. Ben Johnson doping scandal is garbage.

[@raymondclouston6255]

yeah…Ben Johnson is the only one who got caught not the only one cheating…

[@marguskiis7711]

Ben was the dumbest one.

[@Nik_Key]

Tonya Harding had her competitor attacked and was still allowed to skate. Ben Johnson was caught and admitted to doping and was banned for life. Make it make sense!

[@qmkut9121]

And six of the other seven in his race also failed tests at some point in their careers but hardly any recieved the same level of vilification

[@Nik_Key]

@@qmkut9121 I know! I’m not understanding this at all!

[@ReverseRG1234]

No mention of the fixing of boxing matches during the 2016 olympics, athletes like Mick Conlon had their careers affected greatly and lost the opportunity to get bigger sponsors and contracts

[@eph2vv89only1way]

Canada’s “arguably better performance”? Ummm … the Russian skaters fell twice and the Canadians gave a perfect performance! How was the Russian performance possibly better?

[@PaulThePhotoGuy]

and as I recall there was an investigation into numerous Russian judges scoring inequities during the same games .

[@eph2vv89only1way]

@@PaulThePhotoGuy yup.

[@justicebandileluthuli9117]

What about the current scandal by the Olympics committee in denying 2× Olympic Gold medal, 3× World Championship Gold medal and 2× Commonwealth Gold medal winner. All this just because she has a natural higher hormone which other athletes are not given the same treatment

[@giuliazanini2181]

Exactly, it's just absurd to deny her the right to compete

[@quinceyb921]

The inhabitants of the favela in Brazil being pushed out to make room for the games is about the most disrespectful on this list

[@skyreapery2n164]

It's more akin to committing murder honestly

[@raimarulightning]

Absolutely. I could understand if they said, "And after the athletes leave, you guys move back in", but they instead just sold them to the usual douchebags.

[@brucenatelee]

I get the frustration with that TKD match around 7:20, giving the win to the one who got the time out. But damn, another brother making us look bad...

[@Babyboots1]

All these controversies and yet they still go on.

[@tommygunn1671]

Wwll same can be said for every sport

[@MrStGeorgeIllawarra]

Smith & Carlos never forgot what Norman did for them. They were both coffin bearers at his funeral years later.

[@pattierotondo1108]

I imagine all the kids that wanted to go join the SJSU track program that Carlos and Smith destroyed by doing that protest won't forget what they did to them either.

[@carissastur5313]

Who's here after Paris Olympics opening Ceremony?

[@LogosLifestlyle2023]

I’m surprised the Canada Russian hockey fight was seen in this video

[@captainspaulding5963]

It wasn't a scandal, it was a normal hockey game..

[@204trebor]

It was in the World Junior's back in 1987, not the Olympics 'Punch-up in Piestany'

[@LogosLifestlyle2023]

@@204trebor oh whoops 😅 I’m an idiot

[@jalenkjohnson182]

You forgot 2016 Mongolia’s coach for freestyle wrestling stripped down in protest of the match

[@manueltapia1859]

You missed the Atlanta 1996 bombing that changed the perspective of the host city and not forget Munich masacre of Israel athletes snif

[@mathias4851]

Those are terrorism not scandals

[@xlnuniex]

“Feel the Rhythm! Feel the Rhyme! Get on up, it's bobsled time! Cool Runnings!"

[@meumnomen]

Exactly

[@CrazyBemaniBoy4404]

Wladyslaw Kozakiewicz's Bras d'honneur gesture should be here to this list. He made this obscene gesture in front of the Soviet crowds that almost lost his gold medal at the pole vault event of the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

[@DrMundo92]

There are pretty few things funnier than english speakers trying to talk portuguese lol

[@filiparodrigues5975]

Ikr they murdered the language 😂

[@MinCraige]

How Simone Biles was forced to drop out of the Olympics because of unfair rule changes should be considered for an updated list.

[@karapalin]

The FIG routinely downgrades difficult elements to discourage inexperienced gymnasts from performing them. The Produnova is a prime example.

[@pheonixphire5848]

I was thinking the same thing. She’s “too good” so they punish her? How does THAT make for better competition???

[@conner-manradio]

Moral of the story. You leave your countries politics at home. It has no place in the Olympics.

[@DavidRay_40]

Thet should have moved the Berlin games elsewhere in 1936. Anywhere but Germany.

[@dashtoroya2838]

Unfortunately the IOC had no choice since weimer republic won the hosting rights tgen Nazi Germany was created in 1933 . Still it's hilarious then many Jewish, black and asian won medals and hitler in person saw germany losing 8-1 in field hockey game final against british india.

[@karapalin]

@@dashtoroya2838 Germany still won more gold medals than any other country in these Games.

[@tudorjason]

The '02 SLC skating controversy sounds similar to an episode of The Good Wife in which it is eventually found that a French judge had conspired to make an American runner ineligible to compete.

[@Miss_Kisa94]

Watch mojo clearly didn't bother to properly do their research! Peter Norman was treated like shit in Australia after returning from the Olympics. His career was basically destroyed he never competed in another Olympic game despite qualifying for multiple of them. Half of the honors and recognitions he got were only given after his death. God Mojo that's seriously a slap in the face like he didn't suffer as well for doing the right thing and making it seem like everything was perfect for him.

[@AngelicusImmortus]

Mary Decker tried to tread on Zola’s bare feet. The injuries zola suffered meant she did extremely well to finish the race.

[@madabbafan]

Zola misheared she thought she was told Mary, deck her.

[@pattierotondo1108]

Nonsense. You could see Budd's feet swinging out to the side, tripping Decker. That isn't a natural gait for running. I'm glad Budd lost.

[@Gazowen-qz5xy]

​@@pattierotondo1108talking crap it was an accident