In sports venues around the world, it is not only the stories of heroes and winners that are being written. But history also remembers the rogues who were so blinded by the vision of glory and success that they spat on the rules of fair play.
Fraud and cheats are as intrinsic to sport as a white foam cap is to a good beer. They were always here, they are still here, and they will certainly not disappear in the future. While there is not much we can write about future cheaters, there is plenty we can write about those who have cheated in the past. The following chapters feature ten athletes who are more famous for their scams than their performances.
In the 1904 Olympics in St. Louis, USA, local athlete Fred Lorz was the first to cross the marathon’s finish line. He was promptly congratulated on his victory by President Roosevelt and kissed on the cheek by his daughter Alice.
However, after an hour or so, it became clear that Lorz had abandoned the race after 30 kilometers and was being driven by a car outside the stadium. He got out, took up running again and played the winner’s role perfectly. He got a lifetime suspension but was pardoned after a year.
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