Entertainers Who Turned Down Major Awards

The USA Men’s Olympic Basketball Team

Image Credit: NCAA Photos / Getty Images

Though most athletes spend their lives dreaming of the day they finally get to compete in the Olympics, the 1972 USA men’s Olympic basketball team refused a silver medal to make a major statement.

That year, USA lost to the Soviet Union, but still won second place; however, they felt like they were robbed of gold. The team alleged that the referees made a few really bad calls that caused the Soviet Union to come out on top when they didn’t deserve it. Today, their refused silver medals are in the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland.