Question

During the 2016 Summer Olympic the Russian track and field team was banned from participating because of a drug doping scandal. Over 1000 Russian athletes were banned from competition because of this suspension. What role do ethics play in sports? Do you think it is important to hold individuals accountable when they are found in to be in violation of the rules? Did the punishment fit the crime for the Russians?

Answer 1

Ethics play significant role in sports as it shows how competition takes place between people is for fun and enjoyment and the competition is healthy. Healthy means that everyone get equal chances to present their skills and abilities without any partiality. The main elements of ethical sports are integrity, respect and fairness.

Yes if any individual violates the rule then he should be held accountable for that act and whatever punishment should be given to him or her only. Banning whole team doesn't show any ethical act or moral activity. According to me punishing whole team who are not indulge in any illegal or wrong activities should not be held responsible for act of another. I think the punishment doesn't fit the crime for the Russian team as it is not justified to ban the whole team for the act of single player. However, I would say that proper investigation needs to be done and those involved in the incident they should be banned and imposed penalty over them instead of banning whole team as it will loose the confidence of other team and players. People will be discourage to join sports if these types of incident takes place and a wrong message will be go to the society.