Spanish hoops team used nondisabled ringers to win Paralympic gold
10/14/2013
Call them especially despicable Olympians. Justice has finally caught up with Fernando Martin Vicente, the Spanish sports official who sent a team stocked with nondisabled athletes to win the gold medal in intellectually disabled basketball at the 2000 Sydney Paralympics. Team member Carlos Ribagorda copped to the scam shortly after the conclusion of the Games, saying at least 15 Spanish athletes had no physical or mental handicap, including 10 of the 12 on the basketball team. During one blowout win, Ribagorda said his coach told players, "Move down a gear, or they’ll figure out you’re not disabled." Spanish athletes were asked to return their medals, but only this week was Vicente hit with $200,000 in fines and penalties by a Madrid court. Charges were dropped against 18 others athletes and officials.
via MSN
http://now.msn.com/fernando-martin-vicente-spanish-sports-official-sent-nondisabled-athletes-to-win-2000-paralympic-gold-medal-in-basketball
0 comments: