Sports Figures Who Blew It, Big Time

The pressure of performing at the highest level is intense, and when coupled with the constant scrutiny of fans, media, and teammates, it can lead to some athletes making mistakes that have lasting consequences. These athletes are put on a pedestal and are expected to maintain a certain level of excellence, but the weight of those expectations can be too much to bear. Many of the athletes on this list were once at the top of their respective sports, but their careers were derailed by their own actions. In some cases, it was a single mistake or moment of weakness that cost them everything they had worked so hard for. In others, it was a pattern of bad behavior that ultimately led to their downfall. Regardless of the specifics, these athletes serve as cautionary tales for those who aspire to greatness in the world of sports. 

1. Ryan Lochte Ryan Lochte, a decorated Olympic gold medalist swimmer, faced a significant blow to his reputation after he concocted a story about being robbed at gunpoint during the 2016 Rio Olympics. Along with three other swimmers, Lochte had initially claimed they were held up and robbed by armed men, but later it was discovered that they had vandalized a gas station. This led to the loss of Lochte's lucrative sponsorship deals and a 10-month suspension from swimming as a consequence of his actions.

 2. Marion Jones Marion Jones, a former track and field sensation, had her career and reputation ruined after admitting to using performance-enhancing medication. Jones had an impressive track record, winning five medals at the 2000 Olympic Games. However, her admission in 2007 resulted in her being stripped of her medals and serving six months in prison for lying to federal investigators. Despite her attempts to redeem herself, Jones was never able to regain her once stellar reputation in the track and field community. 

3. Lance Armstrong Lance Armstrong was a seven-time Tour de France winner and a cancer survivor, widely admired for his accomplishments on and off the bike. However, in 2012 he was stripped of his titles and banned from the sport for life after being accused of using performance-enhancing drugs. Armstrong denied the allegations for years, but eventually admitted to doping in a 2013 interview with Oprah Winfrey. His reputation was severely damaged, and he faced numerous lawsuits and legal troubles as a result.

 4. Tiger Woods Tiger Woods was one of the most dominant golfers of all time, with 15 major championships to his name. However, his career was derailed by a series of personal scandals in the late 2000s. Woods was exposed as a serial cheater, and his extramarital affairs led to a divorce from his wife and a major hit to his public image. Woods also struggled with injuries and personal problems in the years that followed, leading many to wonder if he would ever be able to regain his dominant form on the course.

 5. Tonya Harding Tonya Harding was a figure skater who became infamous for her role in the attack on her rival, Nancy Kerrigan, in 1994. Harding's ex-husband and bodyguard hired someone to hit Kerrigan in the knee with a baton, hoping to knock her out of the Olympic trials. Harding initially denied any involvement in the attack, but eventually pleaded guilty to hindering the investigation and was banned from competitive skating for life. Her reputation was ruined, and she struggled to find work outside of the sport in the years that followed.