10 Bizarre Ways Famous Athletes Tried to Cheat

Sports have always been a showcase of human athleticism, skill, and fair competition. However, some athletes, driven by a desire for victory at all costs, have resorted to bizarre and unconventional methods to gain an unfair advantage. In this article, we delve into the world of sports scandals and reveal 10 of the most bizarre ways famous athletes have attempted to cheat their way to glory.

1. The Cricket Sandpaper Scandal

In 2018, during a Test match between Australia and South Africa, Australian cricketers Cameron Bancroft and Steve Smith were caught tampering with the ball using sandpaper. The act was an attempt to alter the ball’s condition to gain an unfair advantage, leading to widespread condemnation and severe repercussions for those involved.

2. The Sultry Skate-Slicing Incident

At the 1994 Winter Olympics, figure skater Tonya Harding conspired to injure her competitor, Nancy Kerrigan. An associate attacked Kerrigan, attempting to slice her leg with a retractable baton. The incident shocked the world and resulted in Harding’s ban from figure skating.

3. Doping with a Twist

In 2006, Spanish cyclist Alberto Contador tested positive for clenbuterol, a banned substance. Contador claimed he had unknowingly consumed contaminated beef, leading to the positive test. This unusual excuse sparked debates and further investigations into food contamination.

4. The Badminton Disqualification Debacle

During the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, eight female badminton players from China, South Korea, and Indonesia were disqualified for intentionally playing poorly in order to secure more favorable draws in the next round. The incident highlighted the dark side of strategic gaming and tarnished the reputation of the sport.

5. The Hidden Motor Mystery

In the world of professional cycling, there have been instances where athletes have used hidden motors within their bikes to gain a competitive edge. This technological cheating, though difficult to detect, has resulted in severe penalties for those caught, including disqualification and bans.

6. The Blood Doping Scandal

Blood doping has been a persistent issue in endurance sports. Athletes inject or infuse their own blood, rich in red blood cells, to enhance oxygen-carrying capacity and performance. Famous cyclist Lance Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles after his involvement in a large-scale blood doping scandal was exposed.

7. Baseball’s Sticky Situation

In recent years, Major League Baseball has been plagued by pitchers using foreign substances on the ball to gain an unfair advantage in terms of grip and spin. The substances ranged from sticky substances like Spider Tack to homemade concoctions, leading to increased scrutiny and rule changes within the sport.

8. The Undercover Buzzer

During the 2017 World Series of Poker, an incident arose involving a well-known professional player, Valeriu Coca. He was accused of using a hidden buzzer under his shirt to receive signals from an accomplice outside the tournament room, giving him an unfair advantage. This incident highlighted the need for enhanced security measures in the poker world.

9. The Swimming Suit Controversy

In 2008, Speedo introduced a revolutionary full-body swimsuit, the LZR Racer, which provided significant performance benefits. Many swimmers set records wearing this suit, leading to debates about its impact on the sport. The suit was later banned, emphasizing the need to strike a balance between innovation and maintaining a level playing field.

10. The Weightlifting Curse

In 2000, at the Sydney Olympics, Greek weightlifter Leonidas Sampanis failed a doping test. His excuse? He claimed that a doctor had cursed him, causing the banned substances to mysteriously appear in his system. While entertaining, this unusual explanation couldn’t save him from the consequences of his actions.