The 2024 Olympics in full swing and already there have been a number of scandals rocking the international sporting event. From doping controversies to poor water quality in swimming pools, the games have been filled with drama. Chinese swimmer Pan Zhanle is under scrutiny for his record-breaking performance, while allegations of match-fixing in fencing have caused several top fencers to retire. In addition, the Canadian football team faced repercussions for spying on the New Zealand team’s training sessions with a drone.
Social media has also played a role in the scandals, with US gymnast Simone Biles calling out a former teammate on Instagram, and Algerian boxer Imane Khelif facing transphobic backlash online. In the world of judo, Georgian athlete Guram Tushishvili was disqualified for bad sportsmanship, and British equestrian Charlotte Dujardin withdrew from the games due to allegations of mistreating her horse.
The Olympics also saw the controversial participation of Dutch athlete Steven van de Velde, a convicted sex offender. Despite facing backlash from crowds, Van de Velde competed in beach volleyball but left the games without a medal. As the 2024 Olympics continue, there is still potential for more drama to unfold in the final days of the event.
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Photo credit thespinoff.co.nz
