Corruption in the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. Corruption in the Olympics has been an everlasting battle dating back to the Olympics' inception. Corrupt judging, countries trading votes in one event and giving the judges country better votes in another. It's been a problem that has plagued the Olympics for many many years.

This year in Salt Lake City is no exception to the rule. It all started, most noteably, in the Mens Snowboarding Halfpipe finals. The Japanese judge gave marks of 2 points lower than most of the other judges involved, until one competitor, the Japanese competitor. He came down, had a really bad run, and most judges gave him appropriate marks such as 6's and 7's. The Japenese on the other hand, awarded him a 10.0!!! Can you believe that?

This next example of corrupt judging in the Olympics will make your stomache turn in disbelief, and cause you to wonder how the IOC could let something like this plague the Olympics and give it a tarnished name for all these years. The Final of the Pairs Figure Skating was another fine example of the corruption that has existed and will continue to exist in the Olympics unless something is done about it. The Russian team faltered twice in their performance, getting marks of 5.8 to 5.9. Then, the pair Jamie Sale and David Pelletier is to compete and what a show they put on. Completely flawless, breathe-taking, mind numbing. As the Canadian Team waited for their marks, you could hear nothing but the crowd of more than 30,000 people chanting "six point oh, six point oh". The joy could surely be seen on the Canadian Team's faces. They had done it, there was no possible way they could lose.

Then the marks came in, 5.8 to 5.9's. It came down to the wire. The judges split 5-4, meaning the Canadian team got 5 5.8's and 4 5.9s. A mark that would only mean they came second to the Russians who faltered twice in their performance.

HOW CAN THIS BE!? After the performance, news came in that the Russian team was talking with the judges yesterday, possibly influencing them to get better marks from their performance. Whatever the outcome of the Olympics is, nothing can change the fixed, buyable judges. Want to make some quick money? Become an Olympic event judge.. sure to make you a millionaire overnight.