Allegations that female cyclists in the Tour de France padded their bras to improve aerodynamics have sparked a debate about unconventional methods to gain an edge. The secret boost was reportedly intended to help them ride faster in time trials. But this is not the strangest thing athletes have done to gain an unfair advantage. Here are some other out-there strategies from sports history.
Penis-Enhancing Injections at the Winter Olympics
In February, at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, male ski jumpers were accused of trying to cheat by using penis-enhancing injections. It is said that a larger member, boosted with hyaluronic acid, means a slightly bigger suit, which might help you fly further.
Twin Switch at the 1984 Olympics
At the 1984 Olympic Games, Puerto Rican track star Madeline de Jesús injured her leg in the long jump. Unable to compete in the 4 x 400m relay, she secretly recruited her identical twin sister Margaret to run the qualifying heat in her place. The team made it through, but their coach pulled them out of the finals when he found out what Madeline had done.
Stuffed Fish at a 2022 Angling Tournament
Things took a nasty turn at a 2022 angling tournament when competitors noticed something unusual about the winning catch. The fish were cut open by judges at the Lake Erie Walleye Trail contest in Ohio, US, and turned out to be stuffed with lead weights and fillet scraps. Disgraced champs Chase Cominsky and Jake Runyan were disqualified.
Blood Capsule Scandal in Rugby
Harlequins were losing to Leinster in the 2009 Heineken Cup quarter finals when Tom Williams started bleeding from the mouth. No one had seen what caused the injury, but he was taken off the field, allowing top kicker Nick Evans to come back on. Leinster still won, and it later emerged that Tom had bitten down on a blood capsule to cause the fake injury.
Sabotaged Penalty Spot
When Cologne's Anthony Modeste took a penalty kick against Augsburg in December 2015, he slipped and missed the shot. It later emerged that Augsburg goalie Marwin Hitz had sabotaged the turf by scuffing it with his studs. Cologne sent him a €122.92 (£89.15) bill for repairs.
Rosie Ruiz's Marathon Fraud
When Rosie Ruiz won the 1980 Boston Marathon in an incredible two hours, 31 minutes, her hair was perfectly styled and she was barely sweating. No one could remember having seen her on the track. It turned out she had hidden in the crowd, then joined the race a mile before the finish line.
Nero's Chariot Race Cheat
Roman Emperor Nero didn't even try to hide his blatant cheating at the 67AD Olympic Games. He competed with 10 horses in the four-horse chariot race, and according to some reports, fell out of his carriage but was still declared the winner.
