Ethical and Socio Cultural issues within sport

• Sportsmanship


  Ethical, appropriate, polite and fair behaviour while participating in a game or athletic event, also known as fair play
• Reasons for the decline in sportsmanship


  Larger emphasis on winning

  Media hype up events and rivalries

  Increased monetary reward for doing well
• Gamesmanship


  Where the laws of the game are interpreted in ways which are not illegal but are not in the spirit of the game to gain an advantage

  Also known as 'bending the rules'
• Effects of sportsmanship


  Causes them to be admired by spectators

  Gives a good example to young people creating role models

  Strengthens the sport's reputation

  Causes them to be admired by other players
• Effects of Gamesmanship


  Gives a bad example to young people

  Gives the sport a bad reputation

  Irritates players and can cause them to retaliate

  Irritates spectators and creates a hostile sitiuation

  Undermines officials
• Deviance in sport


  Human behaviours that is against your society's norm and values - often against the law

  When anyone involved with the sport intenionally breaks the rules and goes against the ethics of the sport.

  Deviance is deliberate and can be dangerous:

  e.g. cheating, violence or drug abuse
• Examples of deviance


  Intentional high or late tackle

  Fighting during match

  Taking PEDs to improve performance

  Supporters fighting - hooliganism

  Bribery of officials or players

  Tampering with sports equipment to gain an advantage
• Reasons for deviance


  Athletes wanting to win so willing to take the risk

  Athletes having low morals so they are happy to hurt others and cheat

  The want to earn more money

  Punishments for losing are that bad that athletes feel like taking the risk

  Pressure to win from coach, media or financially

  Culture of sport

  Stress

  Following deviant role models

  Lack of positive education
• PEDs

  Anabolic Steroids

  Beta Blockers

  Stimulants
• Anabolic Steroids - May be used by weightlifters or sprinters


  Increase muscle mass

  Increase strength

  Done to train longer and harder without tiring

  Recover faster

  Liver and heart damage

  Females develop male features due to increased testosterone levels
• Beta Blockers - archers or dart players may use these


  Controls the heart rate

  Keeps you calm

  Reduces anxiety

  Blocks adrenaline

  Increases concentration

  Heart problems - reduces heart rate to dangerously low levels

  Low blood pressure

  Weakness and nausea
• Stimulants - only legal one (caffeine)


  Arouse the brain

  Increase heart rate

  Increase aggression

  Increase alertness

  Faster Reaction times

  Less pain felt

  Reduce tiredness

  Cardiovascular problems

  Liver damage

  Addiction

  Insomnia

  Raise blood pressure

  Can lead to heart failure
• Why performers use PEDs?

  Better chance of winning

  Levels playing field - other athletes are using it too

  Could experience fame and recognition

  Increased wealth
• Downsides of PEDs


  Could be sacked if caught

  Risking reputaional damage

  Could be banned

  Could lose sponsorships

  Health risks

  Addiction
• Positives of PEDs to sport as a whole


  Nothing
• Negatives of PEDs to sport as a whole

  Raises suspicions around sport's legitimacy

  Reputational damage to sport

  Loss of sponsorships

  Less spectaors

  Lower participation levels

  Anti-doping tests are expensive

  Loss of trust

  Historical issues

  Honest athletes tarred
• Why violence happens in sport


  Frustration of losing

  Media pressure

  Pressure and aggravation from the crowd

  Retaliation to a challenge or verbal comment

  Over arousal during the game

  Annoyed by poor decisions from the officials

  To gain an advantage and hurt your opponent

  As a result of drug taking
• Raises suspicions around sport's legitimacy


  PED use can make it difficult to determine whether an athlete's performance is due to their natural ability or drug use, undermining the integrity of sport and leading to a lack of trust in the outcomes of competitions.
• Reputational damage to sport


  The use of PEDs can damage the reputation of a sport, making it seem less wholesome and less appealing to fans and sponsors.
• Loss of sponsorships


  Companies may be less likely to sponsor athletes or sports that are associated with PED use, leading to a loss of revenue for both the athletes and the sports organizations.
• Less spectators


  If a sport is perceived as being tainted by PED use, it may attract fewer spectators, leading to a loss of revenue for sports organizations.
• Lower participation levels


  Athletes may be less likely to participate in a sport if they believe that PED use is rampant, leading to a decline in the number of participants and a loss of revenue for sports organizations.
• Anti-doping tests are expensive


  Conducting anti-doping tests can be costly, and the cost may be passed on to athletes or sports organizations in the form of higher fees or dues.
• Loss of trust


  PED use can lead to a loss of trust among fans, athletes, and sports organizations, making it more difficult to maintain the integrity of sport.
• Historical issues


  The use of PEDs in the past can continue to tarnish the reputation of a sport, even if steps have been taken to address the issue.
• Honest athletes tarred


  Athletes who do not use PEDs may be unfairly tainted by the actions of those who do, making it more difficult for them to succeed in their sport.