Many nations debated boycotting the Games due to Nazi Germany's human rights abuses, but ultimately they went ahead. The controversial decision to hold the Olympics in Berlin under Hitler's regime sparked widespread debate.
The Munich Massacre, where eleven Israeli athletes and coaches were taken hostage and eventually killed by Palestinian terrorists, led to a controversial decision to continue the Games after a brief suspension.
The United States and several other countries boycotted the Moscow Games to protest the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan. This decision polarized opinions and affected the participation of many athletes.
The Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson's disqualification for doping after winning the 100m final remains one of the most infamous moments in Olympic history, sparking debates about doping in sports.
The judging scandal in figure skating, where the Russian pair of Yelena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze controversially won gold over the Canadian pair Jamie Salé and David Pelletier, raised questions about the integrity of Olympic judging.
China's hosting of the Games drew criticism due to concerns over human rights abuses and censorship. The decision to award Beijing the Olympics sparked widespread debate and protests.
Allegations of state-sponsored doping by Russia cast a shadow over the Sochi Games, leading to the suspension of Russian athletes from subsequent Olympics and ongoing controversies surrounding doping in sports.
The postponement of the Games due to the COVID-19 pandemic stirred controversy and debate about whether they should have been canceled altogether. The decision to proceed with the Games despite health concerns faced criticism from many quarters.