The sport ethics is "the criteria for defining what it means to be a real athlete" (Hughes and Coakley, 308). It is a value system defining what is right and wrong, and which athletes accept and commit to in order to be seen as a "real athlete". The sport ethics are in other words an important part of the sport(s), because it defines it, and gives us a picture of the sports' vision. Without the ethic, the sports would be immoral and unfair.
I have learned that the sport ethics can vary from place to place and throughout time. In Norway, where I am from, we have a different vision of sport than America, and therefore our sport ethics can also be seen as different. We have what one call a deep performance focus, which indicates that the athlete is in centrum (rather than the performance), and competing is strongly bounded to the moral. Values as health, community, enjoyment and honesty (fair play) are all more important than the performance itself (Enjorlas, 24).
In America, on the other hand, winning is highly valued. Pushing the limits and beat records is the main gold, almost regardless of the consequences. This is actually one of the four detentions in Coakley's Sport Ethic's theory: "Being an athlete involves refusing to accept limits in the pursuit of possibilities" (310). I find this as an interesting point. If there is no limits, and society (coaches, fans/supporters, yourself or even a whole nation) always expect higher achievements and winning no matter what, will it not be easier to be attempted to cheat (ex. drugs) to achieve success?
The second dimension in American sport ethics involves accepting risks and playing through pain. "According to the sport ethic, an athlete does not give in to pressure, pain or fear" (Coakley 309). I agree with pressure and fear. To be successful an athlete must be able to handle pressure and control fear. However, is it morally right to force an injured athlete to finish the game just for the win? What if he or she incur permanent sequelae? Yes, to score a touchdown with a broken rib and head concussion in the final minute, will make a guy a hero and he will be admired and remembered for a long time. But is it worth it if the man can never play a game again, or if he will have disabilities for the rest of his life? Personally I believe lack of limits and moral focus in human perspective might make the sport too extreme, which can harm the athletes.
The third dimension talks about making sacrifices for the game (Coakley 309). As an athlete you have to take a lot of choices. I, as a cross country skier, recognize myself in this dimension. If you want to be successful you can not party every weekend, or eat a lot of junk food. You have made a commitment to the sport, and are willing to facilitate everything you do in a way that will increase your chances for success. I remember as a fourteen year old I would skip birthday parties and sleepovers because of practices or competitions. After doing this many times I was more or less excluded from the "click". However, I was not very sad about it: There were nothing I rather wanted to do than ski, and I had just as good friends in the ski society whom I sheared a common interest with.
The fourth and final dimension in Coakley's theory is the striving for distinction. An real athlete wants to improve, get better and get as close as possible to perfection. This has mainly nothing to do with external rewards, but rather an instinct motivation to prove for oneself that he or she can make a dream come true.
Though the four dimensions rise questions towards cheating and immorality in the strive for victory and success, it is important to emphasize that Americans see a lot of honor in sport: An real athlete will stick to the rules and keep his or hers dignity on the road to success.
- Maja Solbakken
References:
Enjolras, Bernard. 2012. Norsk idrett; organisering, fellesskap og politikk. Akilles. Print
Hughes, Robert and Jay Coakley. 1991. Positive Deviance Among Athlets: The Implications of Overconformity to the Sport Ethic. Sociology of Sport Journal, 8, 307-325.
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