Years of preparation goes into the Olympics, but there are some things you simply can’t plan for.
From “I can’t believe they did that” to “that’s going to hurt in the morning”, we’ve rounded up some of the most cringe-inducing moments from the Games - and who knows what we’ll see in Rio this year...
1. This diving attempt that went from bad to worse
An Olympic diver would normally aim to perform a flawless dive and enter the water with barely a ripple.
Stephan Feck did not exactly manage this.
The preliminary round of the men’s 3m springboard competition at London 2012 saw the German diver’s attempt earn him a zero from every single judge.
We defy you watch this without saying “Feck!”.
2. This three-way pole vault snap
Cuba’s Lazaro Borges was attempting to clear 17.4ft (5.3m) in the pole vault at London 2012.
It isn’t uncommon for pole to snap during the vault but Borges had this hair-raising moment when his snapped into three parts. Although he succeeded in clearing the 17.5-foot height on his final attempt, the athlete ultimately failed to qualify for the final.
3. When North Korea got extremely offended
The North Korean nation isn’t best known for its sense of humour - and when the wrong flag was displayed next to its women’s football team, they were NOT impressed.
Their match against Colombia at London 2012 was delayed because they walked out when their faces appeared next to the South Korean flag.
Oh dear.
4. Quite literally falling at the first hurdle
You really have to feel for poor Liu Xiang.
The Chinese athlete, who had previously won gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics, had struggled over the years in the run-up to London 2012 with problems with his Achille’s heel.
But he pulled the tendon while taking off for the 110m hurdles at the 2012 Games and it did not end well when he tried to clear the first obstacle.
5. When things all got a bit too heavy for one weightlifter
Germany’s Matthias Steiner managed to lift an impressive 196kg (432lb) in the snatch section of the men’s weightlifting competition at London 2012.
But disaster struck when he dropped the huge weight onto his neck.
The Beijing 2008 gold medallist signalled he was okay with a raised fist shortly after being checked over by a medic, but although he was not seriously injured, had to abandon the competition.
6. When a poignant moment doesn’t quite go to plan
The Americans take their flag very seriously and it was all rather awkward when there was something of a malfunction when Serena Williams took to the podium at London 2012.
As the US national anthem played and the Stars and Stripes were raised in honour of her gold, things didn’t quite go as intended...
7. This last-minute Winter Games curveball
While this was a fail for everyone else involved, it worked perfectly in short track speed skater Steven Bradbury’s favour.
The Australian had little hope of winning, knowing he couldn’t match the speed of his younger competitors in the final of the 1,000m at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. But that was until, at the very last minute, this happened...
8. Some unintentional animal slaughter
As the Seoul 1988 games kicked off, their opening ceremony featured a flock of doves being released into the sky as a symbol of peace.
Unfortunately, the logistics of this weren’t quite watertight and as the Olympic cauldron was lit, the birds were incinerated right in front of millions of viewers.
9. Just...gymnastics.
Gymnasts are frankly incredible people, doing all kinds of amazing stunts.
But when you’re vaulting, balancing and frankly seeming to defying gravity for most of the time, there are bound to be some bloopers.
Here’s a compilation of some of the most ouch-worthy moments from Olympic gymnastics. We defy you to make it to the end without cringing.
10. When the Olympic rings decided not to play ball
At the opening ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, Russia put on an impressive performance.
But at the crucial moment, one of the massive illuminated snowflakes that was supposed to open to become an Olympic ring failed to open.
To be fair, the Russians did show they had a sense of humour when they referenced the mishap in the closing ceremony.
11. Some weird deliberate fails
Four sets of women’s badminton doubles players were disqualified from London 2012 for deliberately trying to lose matches.
One Chinese, two South Korean and one Indonesian pair were all thrown out of the tournament for their behaviour, which saw them trying to throw a match to gain a more favourable draw in the next round.
This video, taken by an audience member, shows their utterly bizarre behaviour on court...