Buzz
As the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics approach, the buzz around current sports controversies like doping and bribery makes it refreshing to revisit the astonishing, amusing, and outright bizarre moments that have defined the history of the games.
10. The Final Olympic Rugby Match
During the 1924 Olympics, the last time rugby was featured, the US team decisively beat France 17–3 to secure the gold medal. While the French players accepted the defeat gracefully, the spectators were far from pleased. The US reserve team faced physical attacks, and the referee required police escort. The medal ceremony was marred by boos and jeers from the crowd as “The Star-Spangled Banner” played.
The drama didn’t end there. A year later, the International Olympic Committee appointed a new president who opposed team sports, including rugby. Despite widespread protests and rugby’s popularity as the leading Olympic sport at the time, it was removed from future games. However, rugby is set to make a comeback at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
9. Abebe Bikila’s Historic Barefoot Marathon Victory
Abebe Bikila, a reserve marathon runner, stepped into the 1960 Olympic spotlight after a teammate’s sudden injury. Despite his claim of a personal best faster than the world record, he was dismissed by many. His decision to run barefoot after his training shoes wore out only added to the skepticism and mockery.
Bikila’s origins were modest. Born to a shepherd, he began running at 24, training barefoot in Ethiopia’s highlands. During the marathon, he surged ahead after passing the Axum obelisk, breaking the world record and celebrating with a dance at the finish line while exhausted competitors collapsed.
Four years later, Bikila secured another gold medal and set a new world record at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Tragically, an accident left him paralyzed five years after his triumph.
8. Shun Fujimoto’s Courageous Performance with a Broken Knee
At the 1976 Montreal Olympics, the Soviet team, having been gymnastics runners-up for four consecutive Games, were eager to dethrone the reigning champions, Japan. However, their hopes were dashed by an extraordinary act of bravery in the face of a shattered kneecap.
Shun Fujimoto, the gymnast who sustained the injury during preliminary exercises, concealed his pain and walked off the stage as if unharmed. He continued competing, setting world records in multiple events, before finally revealing his agony and limping away.
Japan narrowly secured the gold medal by a margin of just 0.4 points, marking their fifth consecutive gold medal victory. When asked if he would endure such an ordeal again, Fujimoto simply replied, “no.”
7. Bob Beamon’s Monumental Long Jump
At the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, Bob Beamon competed in the long jump. While he likely aimed for a strong performance, he certainly didn’t anticipate shattering the world record by an unprecedented margin. Beamon nearly missed qualifying for the Olympics due to fouled jumps and lacked a coach in the lead-up to the Games.
During his record-breaking jump, Beamon soared so far that he landed outside the long jump pit. Officials had to resort to a manual tape measure because the electronic devices couldn’t measure the unprecedented distance. Beamon’s jump of 9 meters (29 ft) surpassed the previous record by almost 0.6 meters (2 ft).
Several factors contributed to this feat, beyond Beamon’s talent. Mexico City’s high altitude and thin air played a role, as did a tailwind of 7 kilometers per hour (4 mph). However, these conditions were the same for all competitors, making Beamon’s achievement even more remarkable.
6. Henry Pearce Paused for Ducklings to Cross
Henry “Bobby” Pearce, a fiercely competitive rower, hailed from a family of rowing enthusiasts. His dominance at the 1928 Olympics was no surprise. He easily defeated the reigning champion in his first race and outperformed another competitor in his second. However, his third race is where things took an unexpected turn.
Mid-race, Pearce noticed a duck and her ducklings crossing the canal ahead. Rather than plowing through, he paused to let them pass, earning the admiration of young spectators. Despite the delay, he caught up to his opponent and won the race. Later, in the finals, he set a world record that remained unbroken for 44 years.
Pearce’s overwhelming lead likely saved the ducklings. His son later remarked that if the race had been closer, Pearce might not have hesitated to continue.
5. Kip Keino’s Battle with Gallstones
Kip Keino, orphaned as a child, was no stranger to hardship. His daily runs to and from school prepared him for challenges. During the 1968 Olympics, despite suffering from gallstones, he pushed through the pain in the 10,000-meter race, collapsing but ultimately finishing the event.
Despite doctors advising against it, Keino insisted his teammates keep him in the 1,500-meter race. He secretly left and boarded a bus to the event. When traffic delayed the bus, he sprinted to the track, arriving just in time to compete. Remarkably, he set an Olympic record that day, finishing 20 meters (66 ft) ahead of his closest rival, the largest margin at the time.
4. The Lost Olympic Flag for 77 Years
The first Olympic flag vanished after the 1920 Antwerp Games, remaining missing for 77 years. The mystery was solved when Hal Haig “Harry” Prieste, the oldest living Olympic medalist at the time, revealed he had taken the flag in 1920. He proved his claim by producing the flag from his belongings.
Prieste had taken the flag on a dare from a teammate. Under cover of night, he scaled the flagpole, stole the flag, and evaded Belgian authorities. He stored it in a suitcase for 77 years, considering it insignificant. Eventually, he returned it, stating, “People will respect me more for giving it back than for keeping it.”
3. Marathon Runner Sets Record Despite Ignorance of Rules
Emil Zatopek, described by a fellow Olympian as someone who never stopped talking, even during races, won both the 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter events at the 1952 Olympics. He then decided to try the marathon, despite being unaware of its rules. Officials refused to explain, finding him overly bothersome.
Zatopek’s tactic was to shadow the race favorite. He struck up a conversation, prompting the annoyed leader to sarcastically remark that Zatopek was too slow. Taking the comment seriously, Zatopek sped up, leaving the favorite behind. Unaware of refreshment stations, he ran without food or water and still managed to win the marathon.
2. Australia’s Fortuitous Skating Victory
Olympic events rarely turn into chaotic scenes with multi-skater collisions and underdogs seizing victory, but that’s precisely what unfolded for Australian skater Steven Bradbury at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Remarkably, this scenario occurred three times during the 1,000-meter short track speed skating event.
Steven Bradbury was an unremarkable skater with little prior recognition, having only secured a bronze medal at the 1994 Winter Olympics. His career was marred by a series of misfortunes, including a severe loss of blood and a broken neck. However, his luck changed dramatically at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Bradbury advanced to the quarterfinals after two competitors collided ahead of him. A similar incident occurred in the semifinals. In the final race, he trailed behind the five-man pack. When the Chinese skater caused a pileup, Bradbury, who was far behind, skated past the fallen competitors to claim the gold medal.
1. The 1904 Olympic Marathon
The 1904 Olympic marathon in St. Louis is widely regarded as the most absurd and chaotic event in Olympic history.
Out of 32 starters, one competitor withdrew early after inhaling excessive dust, nearly becoming the first Olympic fatality. Another runner stole and consumed a spectator’s peaches, followed by rotten apples, leading to illness. The eventual winner used small doses of strychnine, a rat poison, as a stimulant—legal at the time due to the absence of anti-doping rules. A South African athlete was chased by wild dogs but still managed to finish ninth, aided by the fact that only 18 of the 32 participants completed the race.
The most astonishing incident involved John (also known as Frederick) Lorz, who, after suffering dehydration, rode in a car for 14 kilometers (9 mi) as a prank. He crossed the finish line first and was about to receive a wreath from President Roosevelt’s daughter before his deception was uncovered. Although banned for life, Lorz, known for his sense of humor, was later pardoned.
