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The year 2004 is when the Olympics return to Athens, the Games’
birthplace. What is more appropriate now than a discussion of fair play,
or sportsmanship, a crucial component of ‘Olympism’? This
may then be tied to the ‘ideology and set of propositions with
pedagogical, social and political aims perceivable as mystique, that
of a way of life resting on the code of sports ethics (Landry, 1988)’
I began my journey into sports, and their ethics,
as an athlete. Sport dominated my childhood. I played in the class team
in primary school, represented my territory, Hong Kong, during my high
school years; and then competed at the University level. Later I studied
physical education at the University of Oregon and eventually coached
the University of Hong Kong women’s basketball team. In my sporting
career as a spectator, an athletes and a coach, I often face moral dilemmas
that compel me to make judgments on, say, whether a play is fair or foul.
I developed my beliefs and values for sports and these continue to affect
me.
The Declaration by the International Council
on Sport and Physical Education in 1976 stated that
(ICSPE, 1976)
I believe fair play also means being modest in victory and gracious
in defeat. Teamwork is paramount for it requires that people observe
this rule. Following are the words from Rees (1998, p.283) that
In order to be effective, programs need to be endorsed
by all elements in the sports world-education, media, the sports industry and pro sport. Rees reminded us that fair play is not the perogative
of the competitor alone for it also requires the collaboration of coaches,
referees, parents, physicians, national sport associations, spectators
and the media—all those who truly make up the ranks. I have suggested
different means of enhancing fair play which may not be difficult to achieve.
This is especially so given today’s attitude is that ‘Winning
is the ONLY thing’.
To ensure that athletic competitions live up to their
potential, I believe it is essential that all involved fulfill their responsibilities
as follows:
Responsibilities of the athlete
The athlete is the one who ultimately determines whether the play is
fair or foul. Every athlete tries to win and some even cheat to achieve
a competitive edge. Whether he will sacrifice his principles to ‘win
at all cost’, such as using drugs or cheating or fouling his opponents
or disputing the referees, is his or her choice.
Responsibilities of the coach
The coach is probably the closest person to the athlete other than his
teammates. The action of an athlete is a reflection of his coach, particularly
for the younger competitor who looks up to his mentor for guidance.
The coach should be an ethically aware person, since it is he who often
instills in the athletes the sense of right and wrong. The coach has
to impress the athlete that not just winning is important but how it
is achieved.
Responsibilities of the physician
In an era where every athlete is trying to gain an edge, ergogenic aids
are a temptation hard to resist, even if their abuses are dangerous.
The sports physician has to abide by ethical standards as laid down
by the Hippocratic oath. This obviously includes the prescribing performance
enhancing drugs to his patient-athlete. Sometimes a doctor may suspend
all his misgivings to ply an athlete with proscribed substances. This
is clearly wrong. More ambiguous is the situation in which a doctor
has to decide whether prescribing a drug to aid the recovery of an injured
athlete may actually enhance the competitor’s performance and
so affect the outcome of a contest. I believe the health of the athlete
is always the paramount concern, not whether the individual plays or
not.
Responsibilities of the referee
The referee is often the person who controls the rhythm of the game,
other than the athlete. He is probably the only one who, during the
game, commands the authority to continue, suspend or call a game-- as
well as disqualify errant players. The referee’s discretion is
final and he has to be technically competent, composed, thoroughly versed
in the rules, physically fit to keep up with the game, and mentally
alert. He also has to be firm and fair – plus impervious to argumentative
players, persistent coaches and disgruntled fans, all of whom can exert
tremendous pressure.
Responsibilities of the parents
The parents assert enormous sway on youth athletes from an early age.
The parents, as such, have to impart not just the will to win but also
the wisdom of life that is as important off as on the field. They need
to be fervent in their support and courteous in their treatment of referees
and coaches.
Responsibilities of spectators
Spectators matter to sports ethics. If they show respect and cheer good
plays instead of wishing the opposite side ill or rooting for aggressive
tactics, they affect the conduct of the game. The spirit of ‘fair
play’ should be evident throughout the contest. If not, the spectators
become a mob and a game turns into a ‘gladiator contest.’
Responsibilities of the National Olympic Committees and National
Sports Associations
The NOCs and NSAs put a lot of pressure in winning which garners the
laurels and also the financial rewards in the forms of increased government
funding, commercial sponsorships, generous television contracts in some
instances and sold-out games. Some teams even risk the health of their
athletes by forcing them to compete despite nagging injuries. Officers
in the NOCs and Sports Associations must stress that, while winning
is important, adhering to principles is even more so.
Responsibilities of the media
The media can contribute invaluably to fair play because they influence
athletes and public alike. Some of course exaggerate or ‘boost’
for television rating and newspaper circulation. Writers and commentators
sometimes invent or hype rivalries to stir interest and feuds –
blood interest and blood feuds – because the promise of violence
excites some fans. They need to be knowledgeable, factual, accurate,
and analytical even when they are passionate. They must also be impartial
and independent even as editors, producers, publishers and advertisers
clamor for “copy”, “color” and “sensation”.
This brief article may not answer all the questions in sports ethics
since I speak from my own experiences that are, of course, not infinitely
varied. I may have used the term fair play, sportsmanship and Olympism
interchangeably but sportsmanship and fair play are evident during a
competition. Olympism is a state of mind that complements fair play
(Pringarbe, 2000). Through both action and spirit, we can accomplish
the goal spelt out in the Olympic Charter and so promote the development
of the qualities that are intrinsic to sports played at their best.
References
ICSPE (1976) Declaration on fair play. Bulletin
of the Federation Internationale d’ Education Physique. Vol. 46
(2) 10-20.
Landry, F. (1988) Olympism at the beginning and at the end of the 20th century from the permanence of an idea to the growing paradox of its social function. Report of the twenty-eight session 29th June-14th July 1988 in Ancient Olympia. Lausaunne: International Olympic Committee National Youth Sport Coaches Association (2003) . NTSCA Parents Code of Ethics Available HTTP: http://www.decatursports.com/articles/NYSCA.htm. (Download on 5 Dec. 2003 at 23.35) Pringarbe, R. (2000) Sportsmanship and the Olympic spirit. Olympic Review XXVI-30. International Olympic Committee. pp. 25-26. Rees, C.R. (1998) Building character and the globalization of sport. Proceedings of the AIESEP-Adelphi World Congress. N.Y.: Adelphi University pp. 281-286. LEUNG Mee-lee
Head/Associate Professor Department of Physical Education Hong Kong Baptist University Hong Kong and, Director of Studies Hong Kong Olympic Academy Hong Kong China ![]() http://www.icsspe.org/portal/bulletin-january2004.htm |