From the opening to the closing ceremony, Olympic events shock the world with displays of extreme athleticism, fair competition, and drama. The Winter Olympics, happening now in Milan, Italy, occur every 4 years with athletes representing countries all over the world. The United States continues to be a powerhouse, dominating many sports with athletes taking podium positions across a variety of events. Ice skating, slalom, skiing, and snowboarding are just a few categories of sports in which the U.S. is triumphant.

Many incidents seem to occur at the Olympics, from cheating, sad losses, and unexpected wins. Just one of these dramas came after a Norwegian, Sturla Holm Laegreid, won bronze in the 20 kilometer individual biathlon race. Biathlons are a combination of cross country skiing, and rifle shooting. Laegreid was seen on television in tears for gratefulness of his win, then confesses to cheating on his girlfriend. In an article from Vogue, they quote the televised interview where Laegreid stated, “Three months ago I made the biggest mistake of my life and was unfaithful.”

Cheating on sports and on partners are both scandals, but a disqualification occurred for Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych which came not from cheating, but from his form of protest of the war on Ukraine. Heraskevych donned a helmet featuring the deceased coaches and athletes after the start of the war. Over 20 people could be seen on this helmet. The International Olympic Committee regretfully had to bar him from racing on the grounds that making a statement during the field of play was illegal within their guidelines, reported AP News. Heraskevych has since stood his ground, attempting to appeal the decision and further fight the IOC for representation. They have allowed him to stay at the Olympics, just not compete. After competing in the skeleton events, other Ukrainian athletes kneeled and raised their white helmets in support of Heraskevych.

While tensions have not thawed yet between Russia and Ukraine, Olympic ice seems to be thawing. In events like figure and speed skating athletes were seen falling and not landing tricks correctly. It caused an upset with watchers and athletes who claimed the ice was ‘soft’ or melting, causing blades to catch, and bodies to fall. Beloved figure skater for the United States, Ilia Manlin, who was currently dominating this event and was projected to win Gold dropped to eighth place after a devastating performance that shocked the world. Originally, the skater was seen blaming it on his own confidence and the pressure of the Olympic Games. After the discussion it was noticed that the ice was actually melting, though. Manlin stated after his performance, as reported by NBC Chicago that “that’s something that I cannot complain about because we’re all put in that situation where we have to skate no matter what happens.”

From politics to unexpected losses to infidelity, the Olympics are never short of scandal. These are only 3, but many events from curling to ski jumping hold their own discrepancies.