dddd
Joined: 11 Jan 2004
Posts: 3345
Location: NorCal8/11/15 12:21 PM |
One good thing about the doping scandals is that it might help people keep a reasoned perspective on the value of sports, versus other things in life.
Their is not so much inherently "fair" about sports, anyway, given substantial genetic differences as well as socio-economic differences that affect how much time and resources can go into an athlete's training and racing schedules.
The value of sports is that an athlete can experience the rewards of effort within the world that they and their sport actually exist, whether or not someone else cheats!
The downsides can be corruption, even up to government level, and the way that non-sports-minded kids and adults might be made to feel less adequate or worthy.
The other value of sports, that really drives it, is the business end of it (and perhaps the political value of venues like the Olympics as well). Sports fuels the economy of western societies, for better and for worse. Think of all the advertising that is centered around sports! You've got sports cars, sports drinks, sports apparel and sports channels that add up to
billions
in annual revenue.
But how good of a thing is competitive sports, anyway? I'll not get my knickers in a knot worrying about doping since I am not so much invested in competitive sports.
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