The Olympic Games is a major international multi-sport event. During its history, both the Summer and Winter Games were a subject of many scandals and controversies.
Some states have boycotted the Games on various occasions, often as a sign of protest against the International Olympic Committee or contemporary politics of other participants. After both World Wars, the losing countries were not invited. Other controversies include decisions by referees and even gestures made by athletes.
Famous quotes containing the words olympic, games and/or scandals:
“Like Olympic medals and tennis trophies, all they signified was that the owner had done something of no benefit to anyone more capably than everyone else.”
—Joseph Heller (b. 1923)
“In the past, it seemed to make sense for a sportswriter on sabbatical from the playpen to attend the quadrennial hawgkilling when Presidential candidates are chosen, to observe and report upon politicians at play. After all, national conventions are games of a sort, and sports offers few spectacles richer in low comedy.”
—Walter Wellesley (Red)
“People who don’t like scandals shouldn’t be in finance.”
—Christina Stead (1902–1983)