6.3 - Ethics in Sport

Question 1

Define amateurism?

Answer 1

Participation in sport for the love of it, receiving no financial gain; it is based on the concept of athleticism (i.e. physical endeavour with moral integrity).

Question 2

Explain the Olympic Oath?

Answer 2

It is a promise made by one athlete as a representative of each of the participating competitors it reads as follows;
‘ In the name of all competitors I promise that we shall take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them, committing ourselves to a sport without doping and without drugs in the true spirit of sportsmanship for the glory of sport and honour of our teams’.

Question 3

Define Sportsmanship?

Answer 3

Sportsmanship is conforming to the rules, spirit and etiquette of a sport.
- Sportsmanship involves playing by the written rules to a high code of ethics.

Question 4

Name ways in which sportsmanship can be encouraged?

Answer 4

• Use of NGB campaigns promoting sportsmanship/FairPlay e.g. (FA respect)
• The giving of awards for fair play to encourage it in top-level sport, therefore providing positive role models for youngsters to follow (e.g. UEFA fair play awards)
• Use of technology to help match officials reach the correct decision and allow performers to be cited after matches for behaviour which go against the rules
• Introduction of NGB rules promoting fair play e.g. (banning high or late tackles)
• Punish foul play and unsporting behaviour on the field of play and within the sporting event (e.g. sending offs)
• Punish foul play and unsporting behaviour after the event (e.g. bans or fines)
• Use of positive role models to promote sportsmanship and fair play
• Use of rigourous drug testing to try ensure fairness in sporting contests and catch out drug cheats.

Question 5

Define gamesmanship?

Answer 5

Gamesmanship is bending the rules and stretching them to their absolute limit without getting caught; using whatever dubious methods possible to achieve the desired result.
- Gamesmanship can be described as the art of winning games by cunning means, but without actually breaking the rules.

Question 6

Name examples of gamesmanship?

Answer 6

• Delaying play at a restart to get back in defence (e.g. by keeping possession of the ball)
• Time wasting when ahead in a game to try to ensure victory
• Verbally ‘sledging’ an opponent to distract or upset them
• Psyching out an opponent at a pre-match press conference
• Taking an injury time out or appealing a decision to the umpire even when it’s not necessarily needed
• Deliberate deception of an official to try to gain an advantage (e.g overreacting to a challenge to attempt to get the player sent off or put pressure on the referee)
• E.g Diving in football

Question 7

Define a win ethic?

Answer 7

The win ethic links to the sporting ethic of ‘win at all costs’, where coming second is not viewed as an option and the outcome is all that matters.

Question 8

Give examples of the win ethic in modern day elite sport?

Answer 8

• No drawn games (i.e. there is always a winner in basketball, American football and the league cup (football) in England)
• Managers and coaches are fired if unsuccessful
• High amounts of deviance (e.g. violence; over-aggression; doping.
• Media praise for winners; positive newspaper headline
• Media negativity for losers

Question 9

Define positive deviance?

Answer 9

Positive deviance is behaviour which is outside the norms of society but with no intent to harm or break the rules. It involves over-adherence for the norms or expectations of society.
- Involves over-conformity to the norms and expectations of society.

Question 10

Define deviance?

Answer 10

Deviance is the behaviour which goes against the norms of society and is deemed to be unacceptable.

Question 11

Define negative deviance?

Answer 11

Negative deviance is behaviour that goes against the norms and has a detrimental effect on individuals and society in general.

Question 12

Give examples of positive deviance?

Answer 12

• A performer may overtrain or try to compete in a sporting event despite being injured.
• A performer is striving to win within the rules or etiquette of a sport, who accidentally and without intent injures another player.

Question 13

Give examples of negative deviance?

Answer 13

• Taking illegal performance enhancing drugs
• Deliberately fouling or harming an opponent through aggression or violent actions
• Accepting bribe to lose; match fixing
• Diving to win a penalty or free kick