Bribes, Beatings, and Bronze Statues
In ancient Olympia, rules were strict, punishments swift, and cheating—while rare in records—was harshly dealt with. From bribes to eye gouging, athletes tried anything for victory, but penalties often followed. The Greeks may not have had doping, but they had their own scandals.
The Price of Victory
In 388 B.C., boxer Eupolus of Thessaly bribed three opponents. All four men were fined, and six bronze statues of Zeus were erected, funded by those fines. Their names were inscribed on the statue bases, warning future athletes of the price of dishonesty.
When Fouls Crossed the Line
Some athletes were caught biting or twisting opponents’ bodies illegally. Officials carried rods and used them. Infractions like starting early in races or rigging matchups also earned punishments—often public and humiliating.
Even Judges and Spectators Cheated
Officials once crowned their own city’s athlete. They were fined, but the title stood. One woman disguised herself as a man to watch her son compete and was caught. In 420 B.C., Sparta was banned entirely after a treaty violation. One Spartan disguised his entry, won, and was later flogged when his identity was revealed.
Ancient Olympians didn’t have performance-enhancing drugs, but they still found ways to cheat.
From bribery and foul play to forged identities and cursed opponents, the original Games saw scandals that rival today’s. The penalties, however, were severe and very public…🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/VkFdRCxqdG
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) May 6, 2025