Most Controversial Disqualifications At The Olympics In The Past Till Date Prior To Vinesh Phogat
Paris Olympics 2024: It has been a remorseful season for the Indian contingent at the Olympics this year. Adding to the list of disheartening moments, the disqualification of wrestling star Vinesh Phogat over a cause of a slight increased weight in the 50 Kg wrestling match has shattered the dreams of clinching gold of the country and Phogat.
Her disqualification also compelled her to announce her retirement from wrestling, further adding to the pile of gloominess. The news also became a controversial topic after Vinesh’s attempt to lose her weight before the routine check up went viral, where she even chopped her hair to get the qualifying weight. Despite all the efforts, her stint at the Paris Olympics ended in despair.
However, it is not the first time that an Olympic disqualification has stirred the masses abroad. Before Vinesh Phogat, there have been massive instances of controversial disqualification.
Doping Scandal of Kamila Valieva
Kamila Valieva is a Russian skater who was caught in a scandal of doping in 2021, when she was a mere 15-year old. She was tested positive for a banned drug called trimetazidine, however the results of the inquiry against were cleared in 2024 which meant she won many titles in the span of three years till all of them were taken away. The US figure skating team from the 2022 Beijing Olympics received their gold on Wednesday at the 2024 Paris Olympics as Kamila’s doping was finally proven.
Ara Abrahimian rejecting Bronze
In 2008, a swedish wrestler Ara Abrahimiam finished at third position on the podium winning a bronze medal in the Men's Greco-Roman 84 kg category wrestling. The wrestler however was furious for finishing third and disrespected the medal by throwing it in the middle of the wrestling match in disgust citing “I don't care about this medal. I wanted gold.” Following his actions, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) stripped of his rejected bronze medal for disrupting the award ceremony.
Ben Johnson’s Controversial Race
Ben Johnson was competing at the 100-meter final at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, which he won in a mere 9.79 seconds leaving everyone dumbfounded. His gold medal was however revoked after traces of the banned steroid stanozolol were found in his urine.
Jack Egan’s Name Controversy
The first Olympic medalist to be disqualified was Jack Egan, a boxer competing in the lightweight boxing at the 1904 Olympics. He was disqualified by the AAU after securing silver on the grounds of using a false name in the game. His name was actually Frank Joseph Floyd.
While these disqualifications are shocking and controversial in their own right, vinesh’s disqualification is unsettling for its one of a kind of cause and effect.
