What steps should be taken to restore integrity in sports in light of recent scandals?

Question

WADA chief Pound says tainted image must be fixed
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/070920/sports/misc_pound_doping

Football spying probe:
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/070917/sports/nfl_pats_belichick_2

Referee probe to widen, says NBA chief
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/070831/sports/basket_nba_gambling_10

Answer 1

It is easy..ALL sponsors and Networks should completely cut off any sport that does not have a strong drug policy that is vigorously enforced. Also, said sport should not be in newspapers or magazines. Guilty 'til proven innocent? Yup just like anyone else who is tested BEFORE being allowed to work. Think..pilots.
Bob Bee

Answer 2

Its not just a matter of taking steps to regulate athletes, which is OK for starters but the real issue is much bigger than that.

We need to evolve our whole culture away from our obsession with hyper-competitiveness. Sure sports are competitive and thats what makes them interesting but the emphasis that we place on winning above sportsmanship is what is creating the foundation for this widespread problem.

You can be competitive without thinking that winning is everything. There is room for balance even when there is passion involved.

Very common slogans such as 'its only cheating if you get caught' are indications that the whole ethical framework of our sporting culture is out of line.

The slogan 'you don't win silver, you lose gold' (or something like that) adds to my strong suspicion that there are serious problems with societal attitudes towards sport.

Personally I would be overjoyed to win a silver medal in any olympics or world championships. Second place in the tour de France is something to be very proud about and yet somehow we focus solely on the winner (even if it is by a fraction of a second)

The real responsibility in improving our attitudes towards sport rests with all of us involved in sport. Parents, teachers, coaches, players, administrators - everyone! I don't buy into the attitude that its simply a matter of a few 'cheaters' - its much more widespread than that. Its a shared problem that needs a shared solution.

Answer 3

People should adjust their thinking. It always has to be better than before, faster, a new record etc. Sports somehow stopped to be about sport and just be another big way of making money and big money. It is ridiculous how much money sports stars are being paid these days. Do they work harder then the rest of us?
When is sport going to be about fun again? People will still pay to see great sport events and have their stars and of course they should earn a living - but not as it is now. That of course also means that the owners of sports clubs accept lower revenues.

Answer 4

We should do Nothing. In this day and age there is no telling what is natural and what is artificial? Who is to judge and where do we draw the line. Yes, I understand the fears people have about letting it get out of control, but this is only going to become worse. What we need to do is let go of our inhibitions in what is 'right' or 'fair' and let athletes do whatever it is they feel is required to reach the goals they want. Who cares if some android breaks the world record. Maybe we should no longer care about world records in a world where clearly it is not as pure as it once was. Are we that worried about being supplanted by technology and performance enhancement drugs? What about the weight-lifting equipment, nutrition programs and lifestyles that are nothing but sports related Those weren't around 80 years ago. Those, to me are not natural either. Sports is a money making business, so why are so many worried about what is fair now, why not let the bar go, and let a whole new level arise. then we will see what is sustainable, what is dangerous, what is undesirable and what is amazing. Let the ratings and tickets sales speak for themselves. We are all products of this planet competing with nothing but human technology. Why not let us all use it and see what human kind is really capable of doing?

Answer 5

I believe that it would be near impossible when teams/owners continue to spend ridicuous amounts of money on players contracts. When there is the amount of money that is currently available in contracts, someone will always find a way to enhance performance and as long as the gate receipts/attendance remains strong, all will turn a blind eye unless caught with no out.
If the general public stop going to games in protest, there will be changes, but, I seriously doubt if that will ever happen.
Right now players/owners/coaches, etc are paying lip service with no real intention of killing the golden goose.

Answer 6

Give out some meaningful penalties.
In the recent spy scandal in Formula 1, McLaren Mercedes was fined $100 million dollars and they have foreited all their championship points...dropping them from 1st to last place in the series.
$100 Million...you can bet McLaren Mercedes isn't going to do this again (spying).

Answer 7

Sportsmen & women are payed big money nowadays and this has made the players to cheat. Sports gambling is on the rise and this pushes for various illegal activities including 'betting players'. Since we can't stop these, the only thing is tough penalties such as ban for life. This would make them think twice

Answer 8

We need to pay them less money. Maybe then we'd be sure that they'd be in it for the love of the game. Also we need harsher punishments for athletes and break the law. Fining someone who make 200 million dollars a season $25,000 doesn't make a dent.

Answer 9

Start looking into a potential players background a little harder before offering them a contract. Particularly criminal records. How can we expect someone with a history of numerous run-ins with the law to start doing right when given millions of dollars a year?

Answer 10

To reduce steroid use, don't bother "random drug testing". Instead, automatically test all winners (or "would be winners"). This way all competitors know they can't use drugs & be awarded a prize, so there would be no point in competing & using drugs. It is a waste of money to randomly test competitors that may not win anyway.