Limits to Growth in Elite Sport :: Sports Sport Athletics Essays

Limits to Growth in Elite SportABSTRACT The purpose of this constitution is to discuss some of the ethical implications and problems in elite sportsman as it gets closer to the human performance limit. Modern elite sport must(prenominal) be viewed on the background of the idea of systematic progress. The Olympic motto, citius, altius, fortius-faster, higher, hygienicer-gives a precise concentration of this idea. Modern sport is a uniform influenced by the bragging(a) idea of a free marketplace where actors can perform, compete and be rewarded according to performance. However, one may ask why and how athletes be ordain to risk their health and even their life on the free market of sport when they do the uttermost(prenominal) push limits, break records, set saucilyborn standards, develop new events. This paper discusses what may be the result as sport moves toward the limits of human performance. The ethical focus on the development of the elite sport should not be restri cted to the individual athlete, but should also include the various systems that make up elite sport. Other actors, homogeneous coaches, leaders, sponsors, medical personnel, service people, etc., are taking p invention in the equivalent development. One problem in the modern context is that society is shared out into different moral sectors. What is accepted in entertainment or art may not be accepted in sport. It is suggested that we should develop a common ethic for all performance-centered activities like music, painting, science and research, acrobatics and stunts, acting, whirligig politics and business. Or one could include all situations and events where people are put below extreme stress and have to perform well, like during expeditions, in idealistic humanitarian work, during hazards, and catastrophes. At the same time, one should not develop a sort of elite ethic. We need a new ethic that defines the ethical tolerance level in elite sport and that also points to som e of the possibilities for development of both character and virtues low extreme pressure. Introduction The Olympic motto citius, altius, fortius - faster, higher, stronger - gives a precise concentrate of the strong belief in eternal progress. To break barriers, to push limits, is very authorized and central in elite sport to be the first under 10 seconds on 100 meter sprint for men, the first under 4 minutes in one English mile, the first everywhere 6 meter in pole-vaulting or the first over 9 meter in long jump, and so on.