Ethics - the rules that dictate an individuals conduct. They form a system of rules that groups and societies are judged on. An ethic in sport would be that athletes stick to the spirit of the rules of the game.
Deviance - a word that describes unacceptable behaviour within a culture. Any behaviour that differs from the perceived social or legal norm is seen as deviant.
Deviance - a word that describes unacceptable behaviour within a culture. Any behaviour that differs from the perceived social or legal norm is seen as deviant.
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Deviance in sport, is often a result of a win at all costs mind set; coming from the drive to win. Often violent behaviour shown by participants and spectators is seen as feature of modern competitive sport.
Gambling and sport have been linked together historically, however now that gambling has developed and become more sophisticated, it can bring with it illegal practices, e.g. Match fixing, spot fixing.
Gambling and sport have been linked together historically, however now that gambling has developed and become more sophisticated, it can bring with it illegal practices, e.g. Match fixing, spot fixing.
Drugs & doping in sport
The illegal use of performance enhancing drugs and blood doping have been identified in many sports, and by many high profile athletes. Both are examples of deviance.
Asafa Powell, Tyson Gay, Lance Armstrong are all high profile athletes who have been banned for taken PED's.
In 2015 the Russian athletics team were banned from Rio 2016 due to the revelation about high number of athletes being involved in the us of PED's and blood doping.
Using PED's such as Anabolic steroids and Recreation drugs such as Cannabis can seriously affect your health.
Asafa Powell, Tyson Gay, Lance Armstrong are all high profile athletes who have been banned for taken PED's.
In 2015 the Russian athletics team were banned from Rio 2016 due to the revelation about high number of athletes being involved in the us of PED's and blood doping.
Using PED's such as Anabolic steroids and Recreation drugs such as Cannabis can seriously affect your health.
Blood doping
Blood doping is the process of increasing a person's red blood cell count. An increased number of RBC means that a higher volume of haemoglobin are present. This allows extra oxygen to be transported to the working muscles, resulting in a higher level of performance, without the use of anaerobic energy systems.
The process involves the removal of blood (normally around two pints of the athlete's blood) in the weeks prior to a competition. The blood is frozen and stored until 1-2 days before the competition. It is then injected back into the athlete.
Endurance athletes such as marathon runners and cyclists are the most common athlete's who would use blood doping to improve performance.
Blood doping has a number of side effects, including; increased blood viscosity and risk of heart attack, pulmonary and cerebral embolism, stroke, infections and allergic reactions.
The process involves the removal of blood (normally around two pints of the athlete's blood) in the weeks prior to a competition. The blood is frozen and stored until 1-2 days before the competition. It is then injected back into the athlete.
Endurance athletes such as marathon runners and cyclists are the most common athlete's who would use blood doping to improve performance.
Blood doping has a number of side effects, including; increased blood viscosity and risk of heart attack, pulmonary and cerebral embolism, stroke, infections and allergic reactions.
Performance enhancing drugs (PED's)
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Anabolic steroids - athletes can train harder for longer. Increasing strength and aggression
Beta blockers - help to control heart rate, having a calmer effect on the athlete
Stimulants - stimulate the brain, making an athlete more alert
Narcotic analgesics -
Analbolic agents -
Peptide hormones
Substance with anti-oestrogenic activity
Masking agents
The following are banned methods:
Blood doping
Gene doping
Pharmacological, chemical and physical manipulation
Anything that improves the uptake, transport and delivery of oxygen
Enhancement of oxygen transfer
Drugs that are banned in some areas:
Alcohol
Cannabis
Local anaesthetics
Gluccocortiscosteroids
Beta blockers - help to control heart rate, having a calmer effect on the athlete
Stimulants - stimulate the brain, making an athlete more alert
Narcotic analgesics -
Analbolic agents -
Peptide hormones
Substance with anti-oestrogenic activity
Masking agents
The following are banned methods:
Blood doping
Gene doping
Pharmacological, chemical and physical manipulation
Anything that improves the uptake, transport and delivery of oxygen
Enhancement of oxygen transfer
Drugs that are banned in some areas:
Alcohol
Cannabis
Local anaesthetics
Gluccocortiscosteroids
Legal supplements versus illegal drugs and doping in sport
Legal supplements are widely used in elite sport to maximise training and performance in sport.
Some may see the use of legal supplements as cheating, as they have a positive impact on performance. These supplements are accepted by the sports administrators because they do not enhance performance significantly, nor do they affect the health of the performers.
Vitamins & minerals are widely available at a relatively cheap costs, from the internet and shops. Some manufacturers argue that the research into the impact on performance is questionable. Some supplements that are available may not be safe to use, especially when being used in high doses. Currently there is limited to no research into the impact of legal supplements, and the prolonged use of these supplements on health, and the damage that they may be causing.
Many believe that the taking of legal supplements is still acceptable and still playing by the rules of fair play.
Some may see the use of legal supplements as cheating, as they have a positive impact on performance. These supplements are accepted by the sports administrators because they do not enhance performance significantly, nor do they affect the health of the performers.
Vitamins & minerals are widely available at a relatively cheap costs, from the internet and shops. Some manufacturers argue that the research into the impact on performance is questionable. Some supplements that are available may not be safe to use, especially when being used in high doses. Currently there is limited to no research into the impact of legal supplements, and the prolonged use of these supplements on health, and the damage that they may be causing.
Many believe that the taking of legal supplements is still acceptable and still playing by the rules of fair play.
Advantages of taking legal supplements
Legal supplements (dietary) are taking alongside a normal diet to improve health and well-being or to enhance sporting performance.
Supplements come in many forms including energy/sports drinks or vitamins, which some claim to help with building muscles, improving endurance, weight control, increased flexibility, rehydration and aiding recover after training or performance.
Athletes, sports performers and body builders use supplements to help improve strength, performance and recovery. Examples are protein and creatine, which are intended to improve performance.
It is important for anyone who is taking supplements that they have a health diet, that is balanced and suits their sport.
Many sports performers take creatine, which is a high energy compound that helps to store and provide energy. It is intended to help you train for longer and improve performance during high intensity exercise.
Being hydrated is important during exercise and sport, dehydration has a negative impact on sports performance. Drinking water throughout training and exercise is a good way to keep hydrated. Some performers will use energy drinks instead. Especially endurance events such as marathon runners. Energy drinks will contain electrolytes and sodium. These help to stimulate thirst and encourage drinking, and improve the body's ability to hold water. Some energy drinks will contain carbohydrates, which can give the performer extra energy, and can also provide extra protein to help prevent muscle loss.
Supplements come in many forms including energy/sports drinks or vitamins, which some claim to help with building muscles, improving endurance, weight control, increased flexibility, rehydration and aiding recover after training or performance.
Athletes, sports performers and body builders use supplements to help improve strength, performance and recovery. Examples are protein and creatine, which are intended to improve performance.
It is important for anyone who is taking supplements that they have a health diet, that is balanced and suits their sport.
Many sports performers take creatine, which is a high energy compound that helps to store and provide energy. It is intended to help you train for longer and improve performance during high intensity exercise.
Being hydrated is important during exercise and sport, dehydration has a negative impact on sports performance. Drinking water throughout training and exercise is a good way to keep hydrated. Some performers will use energy drinks instead. Especially endurance events such as marathon runners. Energy drinks will contain electrolytes and sodium. These help to stimulate thirst and encourage drinking, and improve the body's ability to hold water. Some energy drinks will contain carbohydrates, which can give the performer extra energy, and can also provide extra protein to help prevent muscle loss.
Disadvantages of taking legal supplements.
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Some supplements can present risks to sports performers. They could contain banned substances or can be contaminated during the manufacturing process.
Some supplements may not do as they say!!! They may not contain what it says on the packet or sales literature.
The use of creatine for prolonged periods may have negative effects on the digestive system, muscular system and cardio vascular system, as well as potentially increasing the risk of cancer.
Energy drinks contain lots of sugar, prolonged use of these can result in obesity and tooth decay.
Some would also argue that taking legal supplements is not in the spirit of fair play, as some would have access to supplements that others can't access. For some the supplements are too expensive.
Some supplements are border on the illegal and may contain traces of illegal substances.
Some argue that physical training for your sport, including fitness and skills training, with a balanced diet would make a level playing field for all.
Many nutritionists argue that a well planned diet and regular water intake are all that is required for a sports performers at most levels of competition.
Some supplements may not do as they say!!! They may not contain what it says on the packet or sales literature.
The use of creatine for prolonged periods may have negative effects on the digestive system, muscular system and cardio vascular system, as well as potentially increasing the risk of cancer.
Energy drinks contain lots of sugar, prolonged use of these can result in obesity and tooth decay.
Some would also argue that taking legal supplements is not in the spirit of fair play, as some would have access to supplements that others can't access. For some the supplements are too expensive.
Some supplements are border on the illegal and may contain traces of illegal substances.
Some argue that physical training for your sport, including fitness and skills training, with a balanced diet would make a level playing field for all.
Many nutritionists argue that a well planned diet and regular water intake are all that is required for a sports performers at most levels of competition.
Reasons why elite performers use illegal drugs and doping
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More and more evidence is being generated that identifies more and more examples of elite performers taking PED's and illegal substances. Examples include Asafa Powell, Tyson Gay and the Russian Olympians.
Elite performers face extreme pressure to be successful from a variety of sources, including coaching, friends, family, other performers and themselves. The pressure being faced can affect the judgement and decision making of the performer. The pressure can ultimately result in the performer resorting to illegal methods to make the difference to win. The coach is also under a lot of pressure to win and be successful, that they have great influence on the performer (influence which is often underestimated). The coach will gain glory only through the training of a successful performer.
Political pressures may motivate elite performers to take PED's. The success of a nations sports teams and performer is something that politicians like to to enjoy. This can result in a lot of pressure on the athletes and teams to win through whatever means, to attain status for their nation. A prime example of this is the Russian athletics scandal, this highlights the pressure being put on the athletes and coach. The impact of the drug taking in Russia, not only resulted in their expulsion for Rio 2016, but also the UK anti-doping agency being tasked with taking drugs samples in Russia, rather than the Russian equivalent, something that has proven to be a difficult task.
The use of illegal and PED's is not a modern phenomena, throughout history and in particular during the Cold War, nations put illegal and immoral pressure on sports performer. In 1970's & 80's the East German athletes were regularly being identified as taking illegal drugs. This was a state sponsored doping regime, and ultimately played a massive role of the East German athletes having major success at 1976 Montreal and 1980 Moscow Olympics.
The value of winning for the athletes are high, with great monetary rewards being given for winning high profile sports competitions, along with status, fame and future earnings. This high level of reward for winning can motivate sports performers to cheat and to take PED's. A successful athlete not only receives large amounts of prize money, but also gain a lot of money through sponsorship deals and commercial deals.
Some athletes develop a mindset of 'Everyone else is taking them so why shouldn't I?'. Some sports such as cycling, the use of illegal substances appeared to become the norm, with increasing numbers of cyclists being caught. Including high profile Tour de France winners such as Lance Armstrong, who went to extreme measures to cheat the drug testing system, and to continue competing for the best part of a decade.
Some argue that drug taking is much a part of sport as anything else now, and that it is so difficult to detect new drugs and developing substances that people may as well accept its place in sport.
Elite performers face extreme pressure to be successful from a variety of sources, including coaching, friends, family, other performers and themselves. The pressure being faced can affect the judgement and decision making of the performer. The pressure can ultimately result in the performer resorting to illegal methods to make the difference to win. The coach is also under a lot of pressure to win and be successful, that they have great influence on the performer (influence which is often underestimated). The coach will gain glory only through the training of a successful performer.
Political pressures may motivate elite performers to take PED's. The success of a nations sports teams and performer is something that politicians like to to enjoy. This can result in a lot of pressure on the athletes and teams to win through whatever means, to attain status for their nation. A prime example of this is the Russian athletics scandal, this highlights the pressure being put on the athletes and coach. The impact of the drug taking in Russia, not only resulted in their expulsion for Rio 2016, but also the UK anti-doping agency being tasked with taking drugs samples in Russia, rather than the Russian equivalent, something that has proven to be a difficult task.
The use of illegal and PED's is not a modern phenomena, throughout history and in particular during the Cold War, nations put illegal and immoral pressure on sports performer. In 1970's & 80's the East German athletes were regularly being identified as taking illegal drugs. This was a state sponsored doping regime, and ultimately played a massive role of the East German athletes having major success at 1976 Montreal and 1980 Moscow Olympics.
The value of winning for the athletes are high, with great monetary rewards being given for winning high profile sports competitions, along with status, fame and future earnings. This high level of reward for winning can motivate sports performers to cheat and to take PED's. A successful athlete not only receives large amounts of prize money, but also gain a lot of money through sponsorship deals and commercial deals.
Some athletes develop a mindset of 'Everyone else is taking them so why shouldn't I?'. Some sports such as cycling, the use of illegal substances appeared to become the norm, with increasing numbers of cyclists being caught. Including high profile Tour de France winners such as Lance Armstrong, who went to extreme measures to cheat the drug testing system, and to continue competing for the best part of a decade.
Some argue that drug taking is much a part of sport as anything else now, and that it is so difficult to detect new drugs and developing substances that people may as well accept its place in sport.
Consequences and implications of drugs and doping in sport
When PED's are used, their are implications for the performer, the sports and for society. Firstly in sport the idea of fair play is challenged, as PED's are deemed a type of cheating. Those athletes who have been beaten will question whether they were beaten fairly, or whether winner was on PED's. Success should be considered as the product of hard work, training and talent. Not down to the PED's that may (or may not have) been used.
Taking PED's and Blood Doping can lead to serious health issues for the athletes, which can also ultimately lead to death.
Sports where high numbers of drug cheats such as cycling and weight lifting start to become tainted, losing spectators, participants and sponsorship (money). the public support is also lost. Sponsor do not want to associate themselves with sports that will give them negative publicity and end up damaging their reputation.
These sports are under increasing pressure to clean up their act, and provide a better education programmes to combat drug use.
Sport is considered a reflection of society. Therefore the use of PED's in sport has an impact on society. Sport should involve fair competition, with sportsmen and women striving to win and be the best, staying within the rules and ethics of the sport. Using PED's is the opposite of this. Society can also be seen similarly, as corrupt and full of unethical citizens. Who take on a win at all costs mind set, including politicians and sports role models reinforcing this view through their illegal and corrupt actions.
Society can respond by continuing to be corrupt and see drug taken as un avoidable, or it can challenge what is happening, as unethical, against the rules, and make a stance to improve. Should we accept that lawyers, bankers and politicians cheat and break the law, and there is nothing we can do about it ?
Shouldn't the widespread cheating and drug use in sport, be a wake up call for society, to act, make changes, and promote fair competition?
Taking PED's and Blood Doping can lead to serious health issues for the athletes, which can also ultimately lead to death.
Sports where high numbers of drug cheats such as cycling and weight lifting start to become tainted, losing spectators, participants and sponsorship (money). the public support is also lost. Sponsor do not want to associate themselves with sports that will give them negative publicity and end up damaging their reputation.
These sports are under increasing pressure to clean up their act, and provide a better education programmes to combat drug use.
Sport is considered a reflection of society. Therefore the use of PED's in sport has an impact on society. Sport should involve fair competition, with sportsmen and women striving to win and be the best, staying within the rules and ethics of the sport. Using PED's is the opposite of this. Society can also be seen similarly, as corrupt and full of unethical citizens. Who take on a win at all costs mind set, including politicians and sports role models reinforcing this view through their illegal and corrupt actions.
Society can respond by continuing to be corrupt and see drug taken as un avoidable, or it can challenge what is happening, as unethical, against the rules, and make a stance to improve. Should we accept that lawyers, bankers and politicians cheat and break the law, and there is nothing we can do about it ?
Shouldn't the widespread cheating and drug use in sport, be a wake up call for society, to act, make changes, and promote fair competition?
Strategies to stop the use of illegal drugs and doping in sport.
The International Olympic Committee in 1999 set up the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA). WADA is responsible for drug testing, drawing up the list of banned substances. WADA also provides assistance to countries' own anti-doping programmes and funds research.
Unfortunately manufacturers of the banned substances will always try to stay one step ahead of the regulators. It may be that there are currently drugs on the 'market' that are undetectable by the drug testers. Should we just make drugs in sports legal, because of the difficulty in testing for the drugs?
Drug testing can take place on any sports performer, in both professional and amateur sport, with the drug testers arriving at any time to test the athlete, both in and out of competition.
If you are victorious you may get drug tested, at times you may be selected at random.
Education is important to reduce the likelihood of performance enhancing drugs being used, coaches and the performers should be educated, both for the health of the athlete and the law that they are breaking. Education programmes will be run by the sports governing bodies.
Those athletes who do not take drugs will be outraged by those taking PED's, it is important that sports and sports governing bodies create a culture of fair play and sports free of drugs, promoting ways and means for athletes to speak out about drug cheats.
Punishments that are giving to drugs cheats are becoming more severe, to prevent PED's being used in the first instance. Some believe that these stricter punishments will lad to a reduced number of athletes taking banned substances. Bans can come in the form of banned from national or international competitions.
Unfortunately manufacturers of the banned substances will always try to stay one step ahead of the regulators. It may be that there are currently drugs on the 'market' that are undetectable by the drug testers. Should we just make drugs in sports legal, because of the difficulty in testing for the drugs?
Drug testing can take place on any sports performer, in both professional and amateur sport, with the drug testers arriving at any time to test the athlete, both in and out of competition.
If you are victorious you may get drug tested, at times you may be selected at random.
Education is important to reduce the likelihood of performance enhancing drugs being used, coaches and the performers should be educated, both for the health of the athlete and the law that they are breaking. Education programmes will be run by the sports governing bodies.
Those athletes who do not take drugs will be outraged by those taking PED's, it is important that sports and sports governing bodies create a culture of fair play and sports free of drugs, promoting ways and means for athletes to speak out about drug cheats.
Punishments that are giving to drugs cheats are becoming more severe, to prevent PED's being used in the first instance. Some believe that these stricter punishments will lad to a reduced number of athletes taking banned substances. Bans can come in the form of banned from national or international competitions.
Violence in Sport
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39960965
Gambling in Sport
Match fixing - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39959232