Member-only story
7 of the Biggest Sporting Cheats in History
Showcasing the extreme lengths that people go to try and win
When I was at school and playing golf with my friends, I would manipulate my score. I wouldn't count a shot that dribbled just a few meters. Occasionally I would kick the ball out of the rough into a better place. Once or twice I would retake a shot.
That would make me a sports cheat, albeit one with very low stakes. Obviously, there are sports cheaters of a much higher calibre. They cheat in global sporting tournaments and in professional leagues.
In this list, I have omitted the well-known ones such as Lance Armstrong (doping) and Diego Maradona (the Hand of God) to look at other cases of sports cheats in history that you may not have heard of previously.
1. Fred Lorz — 1904 Olympic Games
The 1904 Olympic Games were held in St Louis in July, meaning the marathon was held in the scorching heat. On top of this, the course was very hilly, making it a big challenge for the 32 entrants. Of those, only fourteen could complete the course, with the first across the line, American Fred Lorz in a time of three hours and thirteen minutes.
The home crowd was ecstatic, and Alice Roosevelt, daughter of the President, was photographed…
