3.2.4.3 - Ethics In Sport Flashcards
(complete)
Define amateurism.
Participation in sport for the love of it, receiving no financial gain, it is based on the concept of athleticism.
Define athleticism.
A fanatical devotion into sport involving high levels of physical endeavour and moral integrity.
Define physical endeavour and moral integrity.
physical endeavour = trying hard (effort)
moral integrity = a mix of honour, truthfulness and sportsmanship (attitude/stable belief)
Characteristics of an amateur?
- In the 19th century an athlete = amateur if they are from the upper/middle class
- They had plenty of free time to play sport and played it for the love of it rather than for monetary gain
- Higher status than professionals
- Played to an amateurs code - rules, fair play, sportsmanship, e.t.c.
- ‘It’s not the winning, but the taking part that counts’
- Had to use their God given abilities - training frowned upon
- Often all rounder + play several sports to a good level
Examples of amateurism in everyday sport?
- encouragement
- shaking of hands prior to and at end of sporting contests
- admitting fouls
- kicking ball out so injured player receives treatment
- rugby union - calls referee ‘Sir’
Why have the Olympic games now allowed professional performers?
- Traditional amateur sports - now professional
- Blurring of amateur and professional status in many sports
- No prize money awarded
- Amateurs can still compete
- Higher standard of competition
- Greater spectator/media interest
- High levels of income
Amateurism’s impact on 19th century athletics?
- professionals banned
- no financial gain allowed
- wagering banned
- performers banned if money prizes taken
- meetings not sanctioned by AAA banned
- performers need to be affiliated to an amateur club
- women generally not allowed
- working class males
What were the rules of the Amateur Athletics Association? (AAA)
- Club based in each major town
- Annual sports meetings were held in each major town
- Fully codified rules and regulations
- Fair-play highly valued
- No wagering allowed
- Only amateur performers allowed
- Activities based on no financial gain
- No female performers
- Crowd were orderly and well informed
Define the Olympic Oath?
- A promise made by athletes, judges, coaches as representatives of their fellow competitiors officials, coaches to compete fairly and without doping to maintain fair play
- Written by Baron Pierre De Coubertin - founder of modern Olympic games
- The person who recites the oath does it whilst holding a corner of the Olympic Flag
What is the Olympic Oath?
‘In the name of all competitiors I promise that we shall take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them, comitting ourselves to a sport without doping and without drugs.’
How can athletes show fair-play?
-Show good sportsmanship
- Abide by the rules
- Do not use gamesmanship
- Do not use PED’s
- Help an injured competitior
- Be modest in victory
- Be generous in defeat
How has the Olympic Oath changed?
- The oath was just for athletes - then, in 1972 an oath for officials was introduced to acknowledge them in the event
- In 1999, IOC created WADA and oath was amended to include references to doping and drugs
- 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang - 3 oaths (athlete, coach, official) combined into one = regognises how interlinked the three roles are
Is the Olympic Oath still relevant?
YES - The underlying principles of the Games haven’t changed, with it being a celebration of sport showcasing the best athletes in each event
- When athletes have been found to have cheated at the Games (e.g. Badminton players in 2012), they have been disqualified
- Where athletes have susequently found to have cheated, they have had their medals removed (e.g. Marion Jones)
- It has been known for the audience to boo athletes who have previously been banned for taking PED’s (e.g.Justin Gatlin)
NO - These are different times 🠮 more on the line than winning, may lead to deviant behaviour.
- Athletes have previously been banned for testing positive for PED’s but have been allowed to compete after their bans have been served 🠮 doubts over level playing fields.
- Could be considered irrelevant as pressure may come from more than just at an individual level.
- Professional athletes going against amateur athletes is never going to be a level playing field.
- Gamesmanship is part of modern day sport and so is in conflict with an oath of sportsmanship.
- Win at all costs athletes - may have no conscience about breaking the olympic oath.
- There will always be cheats because of the pressure of nations to perform and the extrinsic rewards gained from success.
Define sportsmanship.
Conforming to the rules, spirit and etiquette of the sport
What is involved in sportsmanship?
- playing by the written rules to a high code of ethics
- fairness, maintaining self-control and treating others fairly
- maintaining high levels of etiquette to ensure fair play is evident in a sporting contest
- play the game in a positive spirit, with respect shown for opponents and officials
What is respect?
The unwritten code within sport where everyone agrees to:
🠮do their best
🠮strive to win within the spirit of the game
🠮 to play within the rules
Should be given to rules, opponents and officials.
