6: Ethics Flashcards
What is ethics in sport?
Ethics refers to the moral principles that govern a person’s behavior in sport.
Who is responsible for upholding ethical standards in sport?
Responsibility lies with:
• Individual participants
• Officials and referees
• Coaches and leaders
• National Governing Bodies (NGBs)
• Groups responsible for sport and physical activity at local and national levels.
Why do sporting clubs benefit from having a strong code of ethics?
Benefits include:
• Increased participation & membership
• More enjoyable participation for all
• Positive publicity, which may attract sponsors
• Creation of positive role models and promotion of inclusivity.
What are the four key principles of ethical practice in sport?
Remember FIRE:
• Fairness – Follow the rules, apply them equally, and avoid discrimination.
• Integrity – Positive conduct by athletes, supporters, and officials, following a code of ethics.
• Respect – Show respect for players, opponents, and officials.
• Equality – Recognize inequalities and work to make sport accessible to all, regardless of age, gender, ability, race, ethnicity, sexuality, or socio-economic status.
What is sportsmanship?
Sportsmanship means playing fairly, respecting opponents, and adhering to the spirit and etiquette of a sport.
Example: Kicking a ball out of play when an opponent is injured, being gracious in victory or defeat.
How can sportsmanship be promoted?
• NGB campaigns (e.g., awards for fair play, positive role models)
• Sanctions for foul play and unsporting behavior
• Use of technology to ensure fair refereeing decisions
• Rigorous drug testing to prevent cheating.
What is gamesmanship?
Gamesmanship involves bending the rules to gain an advantage without breaking them outright.
Example: Time-wasting, verbally abusing an opponent, grunting in tennis, grabbing an opponent’s jersey.
Why does gamesmanship exist?
• “Win at all costs” mentality
• Winning increases salary, sponsorship, and endorsements
• Athletes can become global superstars with wealth and fame
• Media pressure and no-draw game formats reinforce the win ethic.
What is doping?
Doping is the use of banned performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) in competitive sports.
What is a Performance Enhancing Drug (PED)?
A PED is any substance taken to improve athletic performance, usually during training periods rather than competition days.
What are anabolic steroids, and why are they used?
Anabolic steroids are used to:
• Increase muscle mass (hypertrophy)
• Enhance power & strength
• Speed up recovery.
What are the side effects of anabolic steroids?
• Liver & kidney damage
• Increased aggression
• Acne and paranoia.
What sports typically use anabolic steroids?
Sports requiring power & strength, e.g., weightlifting & sprinting.
What are beta blockers, and why are they used?
Beta blockers are used to:
• Block adrenaline
• Reduce shaking and nervousness
• Lower heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP).
What are the side effects of beta blockers?
• Increased fatigue (less oxygen reaching working muscles)
• Very low HR & BP during sleep.
What sports typically use beta blockers?
Precision sports, e.g., pistol shooting, golf.
What are stimulants, and why are they used?
Stimulants are used to:
• Increase alertness
• Boost energy and prolong performance.
What are the side effects of stimulants?
• Increased HR & BP
• Addiction risk
• Anxiety & insomnia.
What sports typically use stimulants?
• Contact sports (rugby, boxing, ice hockey)
• Sports requiring alertness (baseball).
What is a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE)?
A TUE allows an athlete to take a banned substance for medical reasons (e.g., an asthmatic athlete using Ventolin).
Why do athletes use PEDs?
Social reasons:
• “Win at all costs” mentality
• Fame & fortune associated with success
• Pressure from coaches, family, and media
• Level playing field (if others cheat, they feel they must too)
Physiological reasons:
• Train harder, longer, and recover faster
• Increased aggression (contact sports like rugby)
• Increased alertness (high-level competitions like the Olympics)
• Boost red blood cell production for more oxygen to muscles (EPO).
What are the implications of doping for the performer?
✅ Positive effects:
• More frequent and intense training
• Faster recovery
• Competitive advantage
❌ Negative effects:
• Serious illness or death
• Guilt from being caught
• Sanctions and fines
• Loss of funding and reputation
• Poor role models for younger athletes
• Decline in morals and ethics.
What are the implications of doping for the sport?
✅ Positive effects:
• Records being broken
❌ Negative effects:
• Loss of reputation
• Increased risk of illness and death for competitors
• Skeptical fans/viewership
• Loss of support and funding
• Creates an unfair playing field
• Legal proceedings, sanctions, and fines.
What is anti-doping?
Anti-doping is the effort to prevent and penalize the use of illegal substances to enhance performance in sport.
Who enforces anti-doping policies in Ireland?
Sport Ireland enforces anti-doping policies on behalf of WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency).
What is a biological passport?
A biological passport is an electronic record that tracks an athlete’s biological markers over time to detect blood doping.
What are Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs)?
There are 11 ADRVs, including:
• 4-year ban for using banned substances
• 2-year ban for three whereabouts failures within 12 months.
