The Olympic Games are the pinnacle of sports and athleticism, but they’re also supposed to celebrate the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship. However, not all athletes have played by the rules. Here are some infamous cases of Olympic athletes who crossed the line to achieve glory.
Ben Johnson
Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson won the 100-meter dash in a record-breaking 9.79 seconds at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. However, shortly after his victory, he tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid stanozolol and he was stripped of his medal.
Marion Jones
Marion Jones dominated the 2000 Sydney Olympics, winning three golds. However, years later, it was revealed she had been using performance-enhancing drugs. Jones admitted to doping and forfeited all her medals.
East German Swimmers
East Germany’s systematic doping program heavily influenced their swimmers’ dominance throughout the 1970s and 1980s. In fact, Kristin Otto, who won six gold medals at the 1988 Olympics, later admitted to unknowingly doping.
Boris Onishchenko
Soviet pentathlete Boris Onishchenko shocked the world at the 1976 Montreal Games when he used a modified épée during the fencing portion that registered false hits. He was disqualified and nicknamed “Boris the Cheat.”
Dong Fangxiao
The Chinese women’s gymnastics team won a bronze medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, but it was later discovered that gymnast Dong Fangxiao was underage. This, of course, violated the Olympic eligibility rules and the team was stripped of their medal.
Fred Lorz
Despite it happening over 100 years ago, this has to be one of the crazier Olympic cheating stories. Fred Lorz won the 1904 St. Louis Olympics Marathon but was later disqualified when it was discovered he had hitched a ride in a car for most of the race. Lorz claimed it was a joke, but it still left the world shocked.
Lance Armstrong
Lance Armstrong won a bronze medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, but after it was revealed he was a part of one of the largest doping scandals in the world, he was stripped of his medal.
Rashid Ramzi
Bahraini runner Rashid Ramzi won gold in the 1500 meters at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but shortly afterward tested positive for CERA, a performance-enhancing drug. He was then promptly stripped of his medal.
Ma Wenge, Chinese Table Tennis Team
At the 1988 Olympics, Chinese table tennis member Ma Wenge and his doubles partner were accused of deliberately throwing matches to manipulate the draw. More specifically, if they lost certain matches it would make it easier for other Chinese players to advance.
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Andreea Răducan
Romanian gymnast Andreea Răducan won gold in the all-around competition at the 2000 Sydney Olympics but later tested positive for pseudoephedrine, a banned stimulant. While she maintained her innocence and claimed it was linked to a cold medication given to her by the team doctor, she was still stripped of her medal.
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Tonya Harding
While not technically at the Olympics, Tonya Harding was involved in an infamous attack on fellow skater Nancy Kerrigan. In fact, Harding’s ex-husband and bodyguard planned the attack to improve her chances at the 1994 Winter Olympics.
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Kim Jong-Su
North Korean shooter Kim Jong-su initially won two medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics but tested positive for propranolol, a banned substance, and he was stripped of his medals.
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