Sometimes lone protesters disrupt sporting events because they know lots of people will be watching. People certainly get plenty of publicity for such stunts. But the downside is that the danger and chaos they create almost always outweigh whatever public sympathy they get for their cause.

Man in the water

The traditional Oxford versus Cambridge boat race this year had to be stopped after only eight minutes. That's because a man dived into the River Thames and swam into the path of the two competing boats.

Trenton Oldfield narrowly missed having his head sliced open by the crews' oars as he bobbed up and down in the water. The race was halted and Oldfield was dragged out of the water. He was all smiles, clearly unconcerned he had put his life in danger.

And what was Oldfield protesting about? The 35-year-old Australian staged his protest against modern-day elitism and privilege. He was taken away by police officers to be questioned. The race was restarted.

Priest interrupts Grand Prix

On July 20, 2003, Neil Horan, an Irish priest, ran across the race track at the British Grand Prix. He was holding a banner that read 'Read the Bible. The Bible is always right'. Speeding racing cars hurtled towards Horan, who was protesting against the lack of Christian values in modern society. Several drivers had to swerve to avoid running Horan over.

The protesting priest was tackled by a race marshal and arrested by police. He was charged with dangerous trespass and sentenced to two months in prison.

Death at the Derby

Political activist Emily Davison devoted her life to gaining votes for women in Britain. She was fearless in her cause. In 1913, Davison staged the most notorious sports protest of them all.

During the famous Derby horse race in Surrey, England, she ran onto the course and was trampled to death by the king's horse, Anmer, as it thundered round a corner. She died of her injuries four days later in hospital. A return train ticket in her coat pocket suggested that Davison did not intend her own death to be part of her protest.

Women in England were given the vote in 1918, five years after Davison's fatal protest.

Taking a stand

Even some athletes are not against messing up a sports event in protest against something they feel strongly about.

In 2006, sprinter Darren Campbell refused to take part in the lap of honour after the British relay team had won a gold medal at the European Championships.

Campbell was protesting against the inclusion of Dwain Chambers in the British team after he had previously been banned for taking drugs. His protest, Campbell said, 'was something I had to do'.

Debate

1 Do you think any of the four protests mentioned were worth the disruption, danger or chaos they caused?

2 Is disrupting a sports event to protest against something ever justified?

3 Would you ever take part in a mass public protest?

4 What is your opinion of individuals who stage an individual protest?

5 Is there any issue you would like to stage a protest about?

6 Find out what you can about the various protests that have disrupted the Olympic Games over the years. Can any of these be defended?

7 If you felt strongly about something and decided to stage a protest, what form would your protest take?

8 Emily Davison was a suffragette. What is a suffragette, and what is suffrage?