The Olympic Games have never been without their controversies — nor is this a new phenomenon. In the 5th century BCE, the Games banned Sparta for violating a peace treaty, leading to one of the many engagements of the larger Peloponnesian Wars, as well as cheating — where they then had the temerity to win racing under a false flag. And, just as we see in the modern Games, there were attempts to bribe officials and pay off competitors to take a dive.
The venue that has hosted the Games has proven to be just as controversial as some of the events themselves.