Voting Station

Rosie Ruiz

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Athlete

The Resume

    (June 21, 1953-July 8, 2019)
    Won the 1980 Boston Marathon
    Was disqualified for cheating (April 21, 1980)

Why she might be annoying:

    Witnesses reported that Ruiz had jumped into the crowd of runners during the last mile.
    Other witnesses reported that during the 1979 New York marathon, Ruiz had sprained her ankle and then ridden a subway to the finish line.
    She has refused to give back the medal she won for winning the Boston Marathon.
    She was arrested and spent a week in jail for stealing $60,000 in cash and checks from her employer (April 19, 1982).
    She spent 23 days in jail after trying to sell cocaine to undercover agents (1984).

Why she might not be annoying:

    She is better remembered than actual winner Jacqueline Gareau.
    Gareau was awarded a larger medal than Ruiz, one equal in size to the men's medal. Ever since 1980, the men's and women's medals have been the same size.
    Her finish at the New York marathon may not have been deliberate cheating, but a result of volunteers at the first aid station mistakenly recording her as a finisher.
    She insists she really finished both marathons and has rejected deals to write a book admitting to cheating.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 5 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 7 Votes: 71.43% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 21 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 6 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 52 Votes: 55.77% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 5 Votes: 80.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 7 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 5 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 16 Votes: 56.25% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 19 Votes: 68.42% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 8 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 68 Votes: 67.65% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 23 Votes: 95.65% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 36 Votes: 83.33% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 82 Votes: 78.05% Annoying
    In 2006, Out of 114 Votes: 57.02% Annoying