Well, sports-related injuries are likely to happen due to the tremendous physical efforts given by the players, but sometimes this goes overboard and can lead to events that can shock the entire world and show us that sports can be cruel sometimes. So let’s witness the 10 Strange Tragedies Happened in the History of Olympics.
10 Strange Tragedies Happened in the History of Olympics
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1️⃣ Francisco Lázaro’s Wax Disaster – Stockholm (1912)
When: July 15, 1912
Where: Stockholm, Sweden
Francisco Lázaro entered the 1912 Olympic marathon as Portugal’s brightest hope. Determined to protect himself from the blazing summer sun, he coated his entire body in wax — a practice he believed would prevent sunburn and give him an edge.
Unfortunately, the wax sealed his pores, stopping sweat from evaporating and trapping body heat, due to which, as the race progressed, his body overheated.
Lázaro collapsed around the 30-kilometer mark and was rushed to medical care. Despite efforts to revive him, he died the following morning. His death shocked athletes and fans, leading to an early understanding of how critical body cooling is in endurance sports.
We always need a tragedy to understand what needs to be done right.
– Akash Bharnuke
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2️⃣ Death on the Luge Track – Nodar Kumaritashvili – (2010)
When: February 12, 2010
Where: Whistler Sliding Centre, Canada
Nodar Kumaritashvili was just 21, making his Olympic debut for Georgia at the Vancouver Winter Games. During a high-speed training run, he approached a notoriously difficult curve at over 140 km/h.
Due to such speed, he lost control and was thrown from his sled. His head slammed into an unprotected steel support pole, and the impact was fatal.
The tragedy unfolded only hours before the opening ceremony, casting a somber tone over the Games. Officials faced immediate criticism for the track design and speed risks.
In response, safety modifications were made, including raising track walls and adjusting start positions to slow down runs.
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3️⃣ The Marathon Swim Death – Fran Crippen – (2010)
When: October 23, 2010
Where: Fujairah, UAE
Fran Crippen was an accomplished American swimmer and a strong contender in open-water events.
In a 10 km FINA race, the water temperature was dangerously high. Due to which Crippen fell behind the pack, but race officials failed to spot the problem until it was too late.
His body was found nearly two hours later at the bottom of the course. The shock spread across the swimming world, sparking outrage over poor safety oversight. Rules on maximum water temperatures and athlete monitoring were tightened in the wake of his death.
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4️⃣ Amsterdam Pole Vault Tragedy – (1928)
When: July 1928
Where: Amsterdam, Netherlands
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—DHANYAVAAD—
