Ethics in sport- Amateurism and the Olympic Oath

Question 1

Characteristics of Amateurism

Answer 1

• Nineteenth century code.
• Ideal of sporting ethics.
• Dominated by the upper and middle classes.
• Held high status in sport and society.
• Participated for the love of sport.
• How you played was more important than the outcome (character building).
• Clearly set rules and encouragement of socially acceptable behaviour.
• Reinforced by NGBs who enforced fairness.

Question 2

Code of sporting ethics in amateurism:

Answer 2

• Playing sport to a high morale code.
• Fair play + sportsmanship.
• Adhering to the rules.
• Referees decisions were not questioned.
• Played with your god given abilities.
• All-rounders- viewed with a high regard.
• Amateurs were ‘elite performers’ of the time.
• Athleticism- fanatical devotion to sport involving high levels of physical endeavour and moral integrity.

Question 3

How is amateurism still visible in modern day British sport?

Answer 3

1. Sportsmanship still viewed as positive and important e.g. shaking hands.
2. Fair play awards promotes this ethic.
3. Olympics and Olympic ideal still prevalent.
4. Sports such as the rugby union where players call the ref ‘Sir’.

Question 4

What is the Olympic oath?

Answer 4

• ‘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’.

Question 5

Examples of performers who did not follow the Olympic oath.

Answer 5

• Ben Johnson= positive drug test sparked a new wave in drugs testing and a tightening up of the procedures/ protocols.
• With more professional athletes now allowed at the Olympic games, the ‘win at all costs’ attitude is more prevalent.
• Philip Hindes fell from his bike on purpose as he wanted a restart. This was technically allowed within the rules but is not within the spirit of the Olympic Oath/ Ideal.