Week 3- Summary and Debate on Cheating in Athletics vs Excellence and Fair Play PDF

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What defines cheating and what is morally wrong with it? Is winning the most important factor in athletics and what role does cheating play in it ...

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Leaman’s “Cheating and Fair Play in Sport” Leaman’s main argument is that there is added complexity in determining the definition of cheating and what is morally wrong with it. Cheating cannot simply be declared when the rules of the game are broken, as one’s intentions as well as interpretation of the rules affect what is considered fair play. For example, if both teams are cheating, it assumes that they are still giving each other an equal chance of winning. This is important as it infers that cheating may indeed be socially constructed, subject to change, and not strictly based on the written rules of the game. The players’, officials’, and spectators’ perceptions ultimately determine the credentials of cheating and fair play. The inability to have one clear definition of cheating complicates the notion of deciding whether a victory was well deserved.

Debate #1: Winning Isn’t Everything It’s the Only Thing/ Winning is All About the Pursuit of Excellence In “Self Esteem: High Costs and Benefits” tennis player Istvan Gulyas refused the umpire’s decision awarding him the championship match due to his opponent Kukal’s sudden injury. He felt he did not deserve to win solely based on to his opponent’s injury even though the rules stated as such. Gulyas had set very high moral and athletic standards, having an immense amount of respect for himself, Kukal, and the game itself. Thus, one’s measure of self-worth commonly translates to one’s treatment of others. It appears our moral standards and self-esteem have been lowered, as our regard for others has lessened and we consider the occasional unfair victory as a norm of the game. Participation in athletics should not purely rely on a cost-benefit analysis. It should focus on one’s self-esteem, respect for others, and passion for the game. Gulyas was a true winner, bringing out the best of the game and ensuring fair play. In

“Champions: What Really Counts” McQuaid’s cross country team gave their trophy to the Corcoran team, as they felt they did not deserve to win a state championship after a disqualification of their two fastest runners due to a poorly marked snow-covered course. Corcoran’s two disqualified runners were tied for first place by a very wide margin. It was only through a bad call that they became champions. Fame and recognition did not motivate Bradley to return the trophy. He had compassion and wanted neither to embarrass nor undermine the officials’ decision-making capabilities. Bradley’s team were true champions, treating everyone with equal moral respect. The team’s pride surpassed any intrinsic motivation for a victory that was not truly earned. Today this element of sport is not typically seen in various major sports. In today’s competitive environment teams and coaches are too obsessed with winning at any cost....