It was suggested that the Sydney 2000 Olympics games was rife with drug abusers, cheats and abusive managers. Discuss what may have led to the level of deviance found in the modern Olympic games?

It was suggested that the Sydney 2000 Olympics games was rite with drug abusers, cheats and abusive managers. Discuss what may have led to the level of deviance found in the modern Olympic games?

The 2000 Olympic games were held in Sydney, International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch says these games have been "the best ever." But after much stricter enforcement of the Olympic no-doping policy, and more accurate and thorough drug testing that disqualified many athletes, the Sydney Olympics are in danger of being remembered as the Drug Games. Forty-one would-be Olympians were caught cheating before they ever reached Sydney. Nine were thrown out after they got here. Eight were stripped of medals when drug tests showed positive. The most controversial case was that of Romanian gymnast Andreea Raducan who won the all-around gold medal. Her team doctor that, without her knowledge, contained a banned substance that almost certainly didn’t enhance — and could have impeded — her performance, gave the 16-year-old cold medicine. But why were there so many cheats and drug abusers at the modern Olympics? Because of the organization of the Olympics and the Olympics being seen as big business, this promotes deviance. The Olympics are organized in a way in which only one person or team wins the different medals therefore promoting deviance by placing pressure on athletes to win and be the best. Pressure is placed on athletes by themselves, parents, coaches, administrators, sponsors, etc., all of which benefit from the athlete winning.

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Types of deviance promoted by sports include cheating and doping. Examples of cheating are point shaving (result of illegal betting on college sports), illegal holding, and over-exaggeration of fouls by athletes. Doping, which is the use of performance enhancing drugs by athletes, is a common practice among deviant athletes. Athletes take drugs, which increase endurance (EPO), help with training (HGH, steroids), and take off weight to allow for participation (diuretics).

At the ancient Olympic games the winners mainly received crowns and acceptance sometimes medals but in the modern Olympics people now win medals, fame and plenty of money and these ...

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At the ancient Olympic games the winners mainly received crowns and acceptance sometimes medals but in the modern Olympics people now win medals, fame and plenty of money and these factors alone can lead a person towards cheating to gain these awards. The fierce competitive nature of the modern sports’ world, in combination with society’s demand for excellence, has caused athletes to seek alternative means to enhance their performance.

The factors that affect the level of deviance these days are factors such as fame, fortune, money, success, acceptance and even the drive to win. Fame today means everything to the competitors because being famous means attaining the other factors like money and acceptance. Some competitors will do what ever it takes to reach their goal even if it means cheating. For most people in their sport play it because they love to and that’s what they want to do but there are a few people who play the sport because of extrinsic motivation such as medals and money and to actually win this money they will do almost anything. Some people may cheat not just because they want to get ahead but also because they fear the outlook of failure. Managers put a lot of pressure on the competitor-if you fail your out of this team for good. You have to win; I’ve sacrificed so much to get you here. This can put a great deal of pressure on to the competitor that he feels he must do anything he can to win and force them in to cheating. Drugs and other performance enhancers do not reflect the forms of human excellence which sports are intended to honour and this cheating can ruin the Olympic games. All this can lead to the competitor using drugs in their sport but these drugs have unhealthy side affects.

In addition to the negative impact of cheating in sports, the side effects of anabolic and androgenic steroids present another negative realm of drug use in sport. The side effects caused by steroid use can be very serious and even fatal. In addition to a long list of negative physiological side effects, psychological dependence is also an issue. Compulsion becomes a factor when addressing steroid use among athletes. There is an apparent psychological dependence on the physiological effects of the drug. Withdraw symptoms are present when steroid use is terminated. Decreased sex drive, insomnia, headache, fatigue, depression, anorexia and dissatisfaction with body image are all common withdrawal symptoms. Although these risks are very real, many individuals continue to use drug to enhance performance. Men and women by nature tend to seek ways to exert dominance over the members of their respected sex. This can be verbally, intellectually, physically or aesthetically. In our society we have always praised the athletes who achieve the most amazing physical feats or who have achieved cosmetic perfection. Having large muscles enhances confidence and strength, which in turn cause physical attraction by the opposite sex, leading to positive popularity. A person who is in shape usually portrays a sense of control and enjoyment for his or her life that is envied by most. Our society seems to be programmed to receive instant gratification. Steroids have been touted as the best and quickest way to achieve strength, power and an extraordinary physique, which often leads to personal gratification. For example the shot putter C.J Hunter who was tested positive for steroids was cleared to carry on by officials went on to win a medal. This kind of thing happens again and again at the Olympics and most of them get away with it and they cheat because of the factors above and now because other people are cheating the competitors think they can cheat because the other person is. With the promotion of these deviant behaviors by athletes, coaches, parents, etc., sports will no longer be a game of talent, but rather who can find a performance-enhancing drug that isn’t on the IOC list or that can’t be detected. Also, it will be the best cheater who wins, not the best athlete.

Luke Hornsley