The Worst Sporting Disasters In History

Sport and tragedy have unfortunately been intertwined throughout history, not only because of the loss of athletes, but also the fans. While some disasters are purely accidental, others arise because some people take sports too seriously. Take the 1994 World Cup, for example, where Colombian footballer Andres Escobar was executed after his own goal against the USA, knocking the Colombian team out of the tournament. This list highlights some of the most impactful tragedies that have affected entire sports or nations. 

1. Heysel Stadium In 1985, the European Cup finals between Liverpool and Juventus was set to be one of the most historical clashes between some of Europe's biggest clubs. However, before the match even began, Liverpool’s supporters charged through the line of Belgian police after being taunted by Juventus fans. The Italian fans were forced to retreat to a nearby wall, which collapsed under the pressure of those above and onto their own fans below. In the panic, 39 supporters lost their lives, and more than 350 others were injured.  

2. Ayrton Senna The loss of Ayrton Senna marked the end of an era in Formula One Racing. Senna’s generation produced some of the world’s best, including Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Nelson Piquet, and Gerhard Berger. While most would expect that Senna passed away due to pushing his car past its safety to the limit, it wasn’t that. Senna's passing was due to faulty steering. On May 1st, 1994, Ayrton was unable to control his car around a corner, and skidded off the track, crashing into a wall. One of the suspension bars of his vehicle broke loose upon impact and collided with his head. A similar accident took place just one day prior. 

 3. Michael Watson In June 1991, judges robbed Michael Watson, outscoring his opponent, the unpopular Chris Eubank. A rematch was demanded, and three months later, it took place. Watson dominated the fight, and by the end of the 11th round, all he needed to do to win was stay on his feet. In the 12th round, Eubank connected blow after blow, while Watson barely raised his hands. When the referee stopped the fight, it was too late, as Watson collapsed in the ring. He spent 40 days in a coma and had six operations on his brain. He later sued the British Boxing Board of Control. 

4. Hansie Cronje Hansie Cronje was one of the most popular athletes in the world of cricket, known not only for his skill but also his sportsmanship. However, his stellar reputation was shattered when he was accused of being involved in match-fixing. The cricketing world was shocked by the allegations, and Cronje was banned for life. Two years later, he passed away in a plane crash which sparked a wave of conspiracy theories. Some believed that Cronje would reveal the others involved in the illegal betting syndicates, so he needed to be disposed of.  

5. 1972 Munich Olympics During the 1972 Munich Olympics, eleven Israeli athletes were executed by members of the Black September group after breaching security at the Olympic village. Disguised as athletes and using stolen keys, they snuck into the Israeli team’s living quarters and took hostages. They demanded that Isreal release the 200+ Palestines they held captive.  In total, 17 people lost their lives, 11 athletes, 5 kidnappers, and a police officer. The attack’s aftermath caused heightened tension, with the Israeli government launching a search for the hostage organizers. The games were paused for one day before they resumed and no apologies were issued. According to sources, the attack was reported 17 times before it occurred.