Ethics in sport

Question 1

What is amateurism ?

Answer 1

• A 19th century code or ideal of sporting ethics which developed among upper classes during the victorian era
• These people could afford to play sport for the love of it
• participation was more important than winning

Question 2

What are the 3 main characteristics of amateurism (explain) ?

Answer 2

Higher status =
- mid 19th century
- professional sport was non-existent
- Amateurism held the highest status

Code of ethics =
- moral values
- fair play
- sportsmanship
- immediate acceptance of rules

Developed set rules =
- Encouraged socially acceptable behaviour
- led ti the development if set rules + NGB’s

Question 3

What is the olympic oath ?

Answer 3

A promise where one athlete and judge say they will adhere to the rules and ethics of the olympics

Question 4

Who wrote the Olympic oath ?

Answer 4

Baron De Coubertin
(founder of the modern olympics)

Question 5

How is the olympic oath representative ?

Answer 5

• the one athlete represents all participating competitors
• The one official represents all officials who must commit to impartiality

Question 6

How is the olympic oath still adhered to ?

Answer 6

• rule breaking leads to disqualification
• Evidence of fair play

Question 7

How is the olympic oath not adhered to anymore ?

Answer 7

• Win at all costs mentality
• Positive drug tests are extremely common

Question 8

What is sportsmanship ?

Answer 8

• Conforming to the rules, spirit and etiquette of a sport

Question 9

What are examples of good sportsmanship ?

Answer 9

• Shaking hands
• Helping an injured playerW

Question 10

What are examples of bad sportsmanship ?

Answer 10

• Arguing with the ref
• Diving for a free kick
• Arguing with the umpire

Question 11

How can sportsmanship be encouraged ?

Answer 11

• role models
• awards - e.g. UEFA fair play award
• sanctions - can be caught after matches
• technology
• drug testing - ensure fairness

Question 12

What is gamesmanship ?

Answer 12

• bending the rules and stretching themselves to their limit without getting caught
• there is a fine line between cheating and gamesmanship

Question 13

What are some examples of gamesmanship ?

Answer 13

• delaying play to get back into defence
• Time wasting when winning
• Verbally ‘sledging’ or distracting opponents
• Psyching out an opponent at a pre-game press conference (boxing)
• taking an injury time out to upset the rhythm of play

Question 14

What is win ethic ?

Answer 14

• The sporting ethic of ‘win at all costs’
• Coming 2nd is not an option
• The outcome is all that matters

Question 15

What other key terms is win ethic linked to ?

Answer 15

• professionalism
• commercialism
• High stakes (money)
• Sport as a business

Question 16

What are example of ‘win ethic’ ?

Answer 16

• now drawn games (have to be taken to penalties)
• high amount of deviance
• media negativity for losers
• managers are fired if unsuccessful

Question 17

What is positive deviance ?

Answer 17

• Behaviour which is outside the norms of society
• with no intent to harm or break the rules

Question 18

What are examples of positive deviance ?

Answer 18

• over-training despite being injured
• injuring another player by accident

Question 19

What is negative deviance ?

Answer 19

• Behaviour that goes against the norms
• Detrimental effect on individuals and society

Question 20

What are examples of negative deviance ?

Answer 20

• taking illegal performance enhancing drugs
• fouling or harming an opponent
• match-fixing
• diving to win a penalty/ free kick