Ethics in sport - Amateurism and the Olympic oath

Question 1

What are 6 key features of amateurism?

Answer 1

• A nineteenth century code
• Fair play and sportsmanship
• Dominated by upper and middle classes
• ‘Elite performers’ of the time
• Adhering to rules
• Participated for enjoyment

Question 2

How is ‘amateurism’ still visible in modern day British sport?

Answer 2

1) Sportsmanship still viewed as important
2) Fair play awards - like a motive
3) Olympics and Olympic ideal still prevalant
4) Sports, such as rugby union, call the ref ‘sir’

Question 3

Who was the olympic oath written by?

Answer 3

Baron de Coubertin (founder of Modern olympics), and was first taken in 1920 Antwerp summer olympics

Question 4

What is the olympic oath?

Answer 4

An oath that promotes FairPlay within the olympics, to abide by any rules and commits themselves to a sport without any doping or drugs.

Question 5

What is the olympic oath viewed as?

Answer 5

The pinnacle of sport

Question 6

What happened to Ben Johnson in Seoul 1988

Answer 6

Ben Johnson achieved a world record in the 100m race in the Olympics, however 24 hours later he failed a drugs test which showed traces of the banned steroid in his urine.