The Edmondson Blog


Great Moments In Sporting History (4)

Sports' most inventive cheat may have been Boris Onischenko, a Red Army major from Ukraine. A veteran at the modern pentathlon — a five-discipline event including fencing — Onischenko arrived at the Montreal Olympics in 1972 as a hot favorite for the gold, having won two silvers and a bronze in three previous Olympiads.

Britain's epee No. 1, Sergeant Jim Fox, was outclassed and easily outpointed by Onischenko, but complained that his opponent had been scoring without actually hitting anyone. Upon examination of the Soviet athlete's sword, it was revealed to be wired up so he could trigger the electronic scoring system with his hand and register a hit at will. "Boris the Cheat" exited the Olympics in disgrace as a new career in the Siberian salt mines beckoned.

0 Responses to “Great Moments In Sporting History (4)”

Post a Comment



© 2007 The Edmondson Blog