Code of ethics sports: What Role Does Ethics Play in Sports?

What Role Does Ethics Play in Sports?

To understand the role ethics plays in sport and competition, it is important to make a distinction between gamesmanship and sportsmanship.

Gamesmanship is built on the principle that winning is everything. Athletes and coaches are encouraged to bend the rules wherever possible in order to gain a competitive advantage over an opponent, and to pay less attention to the safety and welfare of the competition. Some of the key tenants of gamesmanship are:

• Winning is everything
• It’s only cheating if you get caught
• It is the referee’s job to catch wrongdoing, and the athletes and coaches have no inherent responsibility to follow the rules
• The ends always justify the means

Some examples of gamesmanship are:

• Faking a foul or injury
• Attempting to get a head start in a race
• Tampering with equipment, such as corking a baseball bat in order to hit the ball farther
• Covert personal fouls, such as grabbing a player underwater during a water polo match
• Inflicting pain on an opponent with the intention of knocking him or her out of the game, like the Saint’s bounty scandal
• The use of performance-enhancing drugs
• Taunting or intimidating an opponent
• A coach lying about an athlete’s grades in order to keep him or her eligible to play

All of these examples place greater emphasis on the outcome of the game than on the manner in which it is played.

A more ethical approach to athletics is sportsmanship. Under a sportsmanship model, healthy competition is seen as a means of cultivating personal honor, virtue, and character. It contributes to a community of respect and trust between competitors and in society. The goal in sportsmanship is not simply to win, but to pursue victory with honor by giving one’s best effort.

Ethics in sport requires four key virtues: fairness, integrity, responsibility, and respect.

Fairness

• All athletes and coaches must follow established rules and guidelines of their respective sport.
• Teams that seek an unfair competitive advantage over their opponent create an uneven playing field which violates the integrity of the sport.
• Athletes and coaches are not discriminated against or excluded from participating in a sport based on their race, gender, or sexual orientation.
• Referees must apply the rules equally to both teams and cannot show bias or personal interest in the outcome.

Integrity

• Similar to fairness, in that any athlete who seeks to gain an advantage over his or her opponent by means of a skill that the game itself was not designed to test demonstrates a lack of personal integrity and violates the integrity of the game. For example, when a player fakes being injured or fouled in soccer, he or she is not acting in a sportsmanlike manner because the game of soccer is not designed to measure an athlete’s ability to flop. Faking is a way of intentionally deceiving an official into making a bad call, which only hurts the credibility of the officiating and ultimately undermines the integrity of the game.

Responsibility

• To be sportsmanlike requires players and coaches to take responsibility for their performance, as well as their actions on the field. This includes their emotions.
• Many times athletes and coaches will make excuses as to why they lost the game. The most popular excuse is to blame the officiating. The honorable thing to do instead is to focus only on the aspects of the game that you can control, i.e. your performance, and to question yourself about where you could have done better.
• Responsibility requires that players and coaches be up to date on the rules and regulations governing their sport.
• Responsibility demands that players and coaches conduct themselves in an honorable way off the field, as well as on it.

Respect

• All athletes should show respect for teammates, opponents, coaches, and officials.
• All coaches should show respect for their players, opponents, and officials.
• All fans, especially parents, should show respect for other fans, as well as both teams and officials.

The sportsmanship model is built on the idea that sport both demonstrates and encourages character development, which then influences the moral character of the broader community. How we each compete in sports can have an effect on our personal moral and ethical behavior outside of the competition.

Some argue for a “bracketed morality” within sports. This approach holds that sport and competition are set apart from real life, and occupy a realm where ethics and moral codes do not apply. Instead, some argue, sports serves as an outlet for our primal aggression and a selfish need for recognition and respect gained through the conquering of an opponent. In this view, aggression and victory are the only virtues. For example, a football player may be described as mean and nasty on the field, but kind and gentle in everyday life. His violent disposition on the field is not wrong because when he is playing the game he is part of an amoral reality that is dictated only by the principle of winning.

An ethical approach to sport rejects this bracketed morality and honors the game and one’s opponent through tough but fair play. This means understanding the rules and their importance in encouraging respect for your opponent, which pushes you to be your best.

Kirk O. Hanson is the executive director of the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. Matt Savage was a Hackworth Fellow at the Center. These materials were prepared for the Institute for Sports Law and Ethics, of which the Markkula Center is a partner organization.

Return to Sports Ethics: Mapping the Issues

August 2012

10 Sports Code of Conduct Rules to Include in Your Sports Organization

You might be thinking – why should I care so much about creating a code of conduct for my sports group?

A code of conduct helps your organization both internally and externally. It is a foundation and guideline for your organization and all the stakeholders involved. What do I mean about stakeholders? I’m talking about the existing or potential players, parents, staff, and even yourself. It would benefit everyone to have a list of rules and responsibilities to fall back on as it embodies the unified values and principles of your league. Here is a list of 10 rules you should consider incorporating in your own code of conduct.

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1. Be on time

Your games and practices will have a beginning and ending time, any extra minute a person is late is a minute lost. Team members rely on each other to show up and be on time – a player down is a huge disadvantage even if it is only a few minutes! There is very limited to no flexibility with timings, especially if the game is in a facility where another team could be waiting on you to use the space immediately after.

2. Respect your team members and opposing team members

There is no tolerance for violence or disrespect between team members. It is encouraged that everyone participates and feels confident. This will only be a result of respect and care. Respect includes listening to each members opinions and comments, inclusion – no discrimination or stereotyping members – and simply being kind to one another.

3. Respect between staff members

Staff members of the organization are also expected to respect one another. Similar to the league registrants, there will be no tolerance for violence amongst volunteers or employees. They are the role models for players to follow so it is expected that members are respectful, caring and patient.

Similarly, registrants are expected to respect staff members as well. If there is a legitimate reason for disliking an employee or volunteer, it is expected that members directly communicate this issue with the organizer or a higher authority. However, being disrespectful to an employee should not be tolerated.

4. Respect the environment

As some games will be hosted in facilities or outdoor locations, it is critical your players are reminded to respect the space they are in. There will be no tolerance for damaging fields, courts or any equipment that is at venues.

5. Follow the rules of the game

Remind players that they are playing in an official league, they cannot create their own rules and laws. They must follow the instructions of their coaches and follow the official laws of the game.

6. Communication

Sounds simple but can go a long way. Encouraging open communication can help you reduce more problems. You could create a system allowing anonymous comments for players to communicate how they might feel about a certain coach or player that may be an issue. The purpose of this rule is typically to regulate and increase the level of comfort for players.

7. Maintaining sportsmanship

Maintaining good sportsmanship is also beneficial to add into your conduct, it reminds

players to play fairly, stay positive and not to be a sore loser – everyone hates those! Make sure your players remember to shake the opposing teams hand (or clap their hand) at the end of a game, to begin with a positive team meeting and to encourage boasting players throughout the game.

8. No coarse language

“Do you kiss your mother with that tongue?!” Last thing you want on the field is your players swearing at each other! Prohibiting coarse language could be helpful to mitigate disputes amongst players. Don’t be afraid to add this into your conduct whether your league is for youth or adults!

9. Proper notices

All members are required to provide a sufficient 24-hour (or however long you may want) notice if they cannot attend a game. This will at least give yourself and team members enough time to prepare for a team with one less player or find a replacement. Otherwise, members may start becoming no-shows if there is no consequence. You could use a warning method, provide each player with 1-3 warning of not providing a proper notice, before they are terminated as a player from the league.

10. Be appropriate ambassadors

Remember that every member under your organization is now an ambassador. With the fast-paced technology available today, it would be helpful to add this into your conduct. Ensuring registrants and employees are not bad-mouthing your league online and acting as appropriate members of the league is important. Otherwise, you may want to consider banning them from the league.

A code of conduct is the key to having fun and successful games, while much of the sports community is typically respectful of the unspoken rules, there’s occasionally a bad egg in the bunch, this is when having a code of conduct comes in handy.

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Ethics and Principles of Fair Play in Sports

The English expression “Fair play” is used to express the ethical principles that athletes, coaches, fans and other persons associated with sports should be guided by, which is translated as “fair (or fair) play”.

Code of Sports Ethics
(Code of Sports Ethics)

” Fair play – the winning way0003

The core principle of the Code is ethical considerations leading to Fair Play, which are core, not complementary, elements of all sports activities, sports policy and governance, and apply to all levels of sports activity, including regional as well as elite sport.

The Code provides a sound ethical framework to deal with pressures in today’s society that seem to undermine the traditional foundations of sport – built on fair play, sportsmanship and voluntary participation.

Fair Play is a primary focus and focus for children and young people, in recognition that children and young people today are the adult participants and sports stars of tomorrow. However, the Code also targets institutions and adults who have a direct or indirect influence on the involvement and participation of young people in sports.

The Code covers the concepts of the right of children and young people to participate, to enjoy their involvement in sport, and the responsibilities of institutions and adults to promote Fair Play and ensure that these rights are respected.

Definition ” Fair play ”

Fair play is defined as much more than playing within the rules. It includes the concepts of friendship, respect for others and the obligatory observance of moral standards. “Fair play” is defined as worldviews, and not just a way of behavior. This includes issues related to the elimination of deceit, trickery, doping, violence (physical and psychological) and sexual harassment and abuse of children, young people and women, exploitation, unequal opportunities, over-commercialization and corruption.

“ Fair play ” is a positive concept. Sport is a cultural activity that, done justly, enriches society and friendship between nations. Sport is also recognized as an activity which, carried out fairly, offers the individual the possibility of self-knowledge, self-expression and self-realization; personal achievement, skill acquisition and ability demonstration; social interaction, pleasure, good health and well-being. Sport promotes inclusion and responsibility in society with its wide range of volunteer clubs and leaders. In addition, responsible participation in some activities can help promote environmental impact.

Responsibility for Fair Play

Involvement and participation in sports among children and young people takes place within the wider social environment. The potential benefits to society and the individual from sport will only increase as Fair Play moves from the fringes it currently occupies to take center stage. Fair Play should be given the highest priority to all those who directly or indirectly influence and promote sports activities for children and young people. They include:

1. Governments: at all levels, including agencies working with governments. Their involvement in general education has a special responsibility.

2. Sports and sports-related organizations, including sports federations and governing bodies; physical education associations, sports agencies and institutions, medical and pharmacological professions and the media. The commercial sector, including sports goods manufacturers and retailers and marketing agencies, is also responsible for contributing to the promotion of Fair Play.

3. Individuals, including parents, teachers, coaches, referees, officials, sports leaders, administrators, journalists, doctors and pharmacists, role models who have achieved levels of athletic excellence and fame, and those who work on a voluntary or professional basis . Individuals may also have responsibilities as spectators.

Each of these institutions and individuals has a responsibility and a role to play in this activity. This Code of Athletic Ethics is addressed to them. It will only be effective if everyone involved in the sport is willing to take on the responsibilities defined in the code.

Governments

Governments have the following responsibilities:

1. To encourage the adoption of high ethical standards in all aspects of the society within which sport operates.

2. Encourage and support those organizations and individuals who demonstrate high ethical principles in their work with sport.

3. Encourage the role of education to include the promotion of sports and Fair Play as a central part of the physical education curriculum.

4. Support all initiatives aimed at promoting Fair Play in sport, especially among the younger generation, and encouraging institutions to make Fair Play a central priority in their work.

5. Encourage both national and international research that would improve our understanding of the complex issues surrounding youth participation in sport and that determine the extent of unethical behavior and opportunities for promoting Fair Play.

Sports and sports-related organizations

Sports and sports-related organizations have the following responsibilities:

1. In setting the proper context for Fair Play

a. Issue clear, guiding principles on what and how is considered ethical or unethical behavior and ensure that, at all levels of participation and involvement, consistent and appropriate incentives and/or sanctions are applied;

b. Ensure that all decisions are made in accordance with the code of ethics for their sport, which reflects the European code;

c. Raise awareness of Fair Play within their sphere of influence through campaigns, awards, educational programs and learning opportunities. They should also monitor and evaluate the impact of such initiatives;

d. Establish systems that reward Fair Play and individual levels of achievement in addition to top sporting achievement;

e. Provide assistance and support to the media in promoting ethical behavior.

When working with young people

1. To ensure that the structure of the competition acknowledges the special requirements of the young and growing child and provides the opportunity for staging levels of participation from regional to elite sport.

2. Support the modification of the rules to accommodate the special needs of the youngest and most up-and-coming athletes, emphasizing Fair Play over top sporting achievement.

3. Ensure that personal security is within the context of a full support and protection structure for children, young people and women, and protect the aforementioned groups from sexual harassment and abuse and prevent the exploitation of children, especially those who demonstrate precocious capacity.

4. To ensure that all those within or associated with the organization who have responsibility for children and young people are qualified at the appropriate level to manage, educate and coach them, and in particular that they understand the biological and psychological changes associated with the development of the child.

Individuals

1. Individuals have the following responsibilities:

a. Personal Conduct

i. Behave in a way that sets a good example and is a positive role model for children and young people; not reward in any way, demonstrate personally, do not encourage others in an unfair game and apply appropriate sanctions against unethical behavior;

ii. To ensure that their own level of training and qualifications is appropriate to the needs of the child as they move through the various stages of sportsmanship.

b. When working with young people:

i. Prioritize the health, safety and welfare of the child or young athlete and ensure that such considerations take precedence over mere achievement or the reputation of the school, club, coach or parent;

ii. To provide sports activities for children that encourage longevity and link health with physical activity;

iii. Avoid treating children as just small adults, but be aware of the physical and psychological changes that occur during puberty and how they affect athletic performance;

iv. Avoid placing in the child’s expectations support for hopes unrelated to his or her ability to fulfill them;

v. The priority must be the satisfaction of participating in sports and never exert undue pressure that infringes on a child’s right to desire to compete;

vi. Pay as much attention to the less talented as to the talented, to emphasize and reward personal levels of achievement and skill acquisition in addition to more overt top sporting achievement;

vii. Encourage young children to invent their own games with their own rules, take on the roles of coach, official and referee in addition to the participant; invent their own incentives and sanctions for fair or unfair play; and take personal responsibility for their actions;

viii. Provide children and youth sports and their parents with as much information as possible to ensure they understand the potential for risk and the lure of achieving a high level of sports performance.

Resume

Fair play is an essential part of successful promotion, development and attraction in sports. Through the “Fair Play” of the individual, sports organizations and society as a whole, a common victory is achieved. We all have a responsibility to promote Fair Play – the path to success.

Adopted at the 7th Conference (1992) in Rhodes of the European Ministers responsible for Sport. Approved by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

Source: Website of the Federal Agency for Physical Culture and Sports, www.rossport.ru

Code of ethics for athletes

ethical basis for the functioning and development of streetlifting in the world. The main purpose of the Code is to create conditions for fair sports competition, to combat negative manifestations of behavior and actions in modern society that undermine the basis of sports – voluntariness, camaraderie and equality of opportunity.

The Code cannot contain an exhaustive set of situations and standards of conduct, since it is not possible to foresee all possible situations, in which case the Code is applied to a specific situation by analogy and based on the general principles of ethics laid down in the Code.

Every Athlete who interacts in any way with the ISF and its affiliated National Branches must know and follow the Code.

Article 1 Application

1.1. The Code applies to all athletes involved in streetlifting, who are citizens or residents of the countries of the national federations that are part of the ISF, including athletes who are not citizens or residents of ISF member countries, but who are on their territory, as well as athletes participating in sports competitions organized by regional representatives of the national federations that are part of the ISF (hereinafter referred to as athletes).

1.2. The Code applies to any action that infringes on the authenticity, integrity and reputation of streetlifting.

Article 2. Conduct

2.1. Athletes are personally responsible for familiarizing themselves with the provisions of the Code.

2.2. All athletes must immediately report any found violation of the Code to the ISF or to the national branch affiliated to the ISF, with the obligatory indication of the name of the applicant and his address of location or e-mail and telephone.

2.3. Athletes who, through their actions directly or indirectly, contribute to or fail to act, and do not prevent actions aimed at violations of the Code, are considered to have committed violations of the Code.

Article 3. Integrity

3.1. Athletes must not behave in a way that adversely affects the reputation of the ISF, its management and officials, or streetlifting in general.

3.2. In the exercise of their powers, athletes must conduct themselves with the utmost integrity, honesty and responsibility.

3.3. Athletes should not participate in betting on the results of sports competitions in streetlifting, manipulate the results of sports competitions, exercise unlawful influence on the results of sports competitions, or engage in other corrupt activities.

3.4. Athletes are prohibited from abusing their rights or powers.

Article 4 Anti-Doping

4.1. Athletes unequivocally recognize that doping jeopardizes the ethical principles and educational values ​​enshrined in the UNESCO International Charter for Physical Education and Sport and the Olympic Charter, and ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the International Convention against Doping in Sport, adopted by the UNESCO General Conference at 33rd session 19October 2005 in Paris and ratified in many countries of the world.

Article 5. Equality

5.1. No discrimination is allowed in the activities of the ISF and its members based on race, gender, national origin, color, culture, religion, political opinion, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other unfair or irrelevant fact.

Article 6. Dignity

6.1. Protection of the dignity of the individual is a fundamental principle in streetlifting, any form of violation of the honor and dignity of the individual is prohibited.

6.2. Athletes must show a spirit of goodwill towards each other, mutual respect and trust.

Article 7. Publicity

7.1. Athletes should not publicly, including on social networks on the Internet, speak negatively about ISF, its branches and streetlifting in general in any way.

Article 8. Confidentiality

8.1. Athletes must not disclose information confidentially entrusted to them in connection with their activities, unless disclosure is required by applicable law.