Disgrace at the 2008 Beijing Olympics

As the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games come to a close, it's time to look back on the 16 days of Olympic entertainment... and disgrace. I am referring, of course, to the actions of a handful of the Olympic Athletes who have been disqualified, stripped of their medals, or whose actions were simply downright shameful. From offensive ads to doping up, the following is a list, in no particular order, of the 2008 Olympic Disgraceful who have fallen short of the honor of proudly representing their country in the Olympics.

Olympic Disgrace #1: Spain's Offensive Ad

Before the Olympic Games even commenced, Spain's basketball team whipped out this doozy of unsportsmanlike conduct: a picture of the team, slanting their eyes in a distasteful mockery of the Asian race. Unfortunately, aside from making themselves look like shallow humans, no action can be taken against them. According a New York Post interview with teammate Pau Gasol, the picture was meant as an affectionate joke, not to be taken in offense.

Olympic Disgrace #2: Angel Matos Kicks Ref in the Face

On August 23^rd, Cuban taekwondo competitor Angel Matos assaulted Swedish referee Chakir Chelbat by kicking him in the face, after losing his bronze medal match. According to CNN.com Matos, a gold medal winner in the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and his coach, are in the process of being banned from the World Taekwondo Federation for life. Matos was allegedly upset at Chelbat's claim that he had taken too much injury time after falling to the mat. Sure sounds like a perfectly good reason to punch the ref in the face, to me... Or not.

Olympic Disgrace #3: Abrahamian's Bronze Medal Toss

After being awarded the bronze in the Men's Greco-Roman 84 kg, Swede Ara Abrahamian dropped his medal onto the center of the wrestling mat and stormed off. Some accounts, like ABC.com, claim that he considered anything less than gold a "failure." Other accounts, such as USAToday.com, suggest that his actions were a protest against the match's officiating. This match was, if you will, the straw that broke the camel's back, after Abrahamian was awarded Silver in Athens 2004 over another questionable call. Whether or not the protest was justified, is beside the point. His actions were entirely unacceptable. As a result of his toddler-like tantrum, Abrahamian was disqualified and became the 3^rd person to have their medal taken away at this years' games. That'll show 'em Abrahamian!

Olympic Disgrace #4: Athletes Dope Up

Six athletes have been disqualified for drugs, so we'll just lump them all here: Ukranian Weightlifter Igor Razoronov, North Korean shooter Kim Jong Su (stripped of silver and bronze medals), Vietnamese gymnast Thi Ngan Thuong D, Greek hurdler Fani Halkia, and Spanish cyclist Isabel Moreno. Remember this kids: "Don't do drugs, Mmmm-kay?"

Fortunately, this is a relatively short list of the Olympic Disgraceful and is offset by numerous excellent Olympic moments. For instance, Usain Bolt broke the world's 100 meter world record, and Michael Johnson's 200 meter record and Benjamin Boukpeti of Togo won his country's first ever Olympic medal in the Men's Slalom Event. Hey, things could've been much worse, right?