Is sport fair when money differs?
Discussion question | This is for ages 14 to 16
The Winter Olympics and Paralympics are also known as the Winter Games. Some countries or sporting organisations can give their athletes more funding to spend on the latest sports technology. Is this fair?
Some countries invest more in sport, so their athletes have access to better technology and training facilities. Can the Winter Games still be fair if some athletes start with big financial advantages?
Tell us what you think
You might want to structure your answer like this:
I think [your opinion] so therefore the Winter Games [are/are not] equal and fair because [the reason for your opinion]. However, others might feel that [an opposite perspective].
Make sure you read the comments from other Topical Talkers to see whether you agree or disagree with them.
Comments (19)
I think it is not fair for some athletes to have the advantage of extra money, so therefore the Winter Games are not equal, because it means they get a headstart in the competition.
However, others might feel that as far as technology goes, it alone can't help you win. Ambition and determination are needed in order to succeed and those are not so easily bought with money. Actually, an athlete who is at a disadvantage might train a lot harder than one that isn't, just to try to balance things out. This can result in a competitor better prepared, but with limited equipment and another athlete with greater resources, but less acquired skills. Now, I think this sends the message that it's totally fine for these differences to exist. But it isn't. It is not okay for participants to work so hard and then lose because someone else has better shoes, for example.
I mentioned that some might train harder in order to balance things out. But what about the ones that may resume to cheating when they feel a sense of inequality? They will most certainly be disqualified, but it's not their fault for the system being this way. That's why I believe participants should all have if not the same, then similar equipment. Chances need to be evened out for everybody.
I agree! All athletes in the winter games should be allocated the same amount of resources and extra funding should be curbed. When another sport organization is offered more money than the other, the team is capable of getting things like advanced facilities that the other can't attain. I believe, if I'm not wrong, that fair play is the core of sporting. How then can equality be achieved if a nation funds its own sports team and another does not? In summary financial advantages should be even. This will make competitiveness and hard work increase and above all, promote fairness.
I think it’s fair if the athletes aren’t good going in sports since their competitors are always getting to the week point of their skills. It’s like if I said that this team has good captain so there are good athletes but the other team is vise versa so why they can not get a good captain ( which is the technology ).
On the other side, if we said that both teams are week at some points and they are no way getting better so they can both use the same technology. Therefore they both can have better experience.
I agree to this you have a solid point there.
The advantage of more money in the Winter Sports, or sports in general is actually a downside guarantee that is actually fair in my point of view if you think about it, let me explain.
The thing is, sports tend to differ in money according to maybe performance or general reputation according to what you have done, but that is it, money reflects on what you have done, not just given for nothing. Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the highest paid athletes in the world, if not the most and many a people do not question, why, because of his impact in the game, not just because he is who he is, there actually is no head start, as money only is according to impact in the game, it is really to encourage another athlete to be like `I can do so too, I am a human just like him". If they do so much and get paid lowly, it would seem awkward from my point of view, so only your mindset would make yourself think, HEY..THIS ISN'T FAIR. Of course ambition and determination are there, but how do you use those to bolster yourself to perform in-game, it is not really an advantage, but a mini sort of encouragement, it also is fair because they can decide to reject these huge pay sums and there are laws guiding these decisions to increase or reduce pays, which justifies my quotes.
Reason my way of thinking and let me know what you think👍
Well to be honest, I feel like it is fair. The difference in finances of the various athletes participating gives some athletes who are underfunded a laser determination, which usually drives them hard enough to excel in the games. Reliance on technology has made athletes and coaches to change their traditional training patterns and strategies. They now rely on statistics and analytics generated by these equipment and technology they use, significantly changing the way they prepare for such games.
An athlete who trains knowing he or she is at a disadvantage, will train and outwork everyone. I speak for myself when I say this, because I want to be a basketballer in the NBA, and I work extremely hard because I know that Nigeria lacks sports opportunities. I recently just got my first basketball, and ever since I have been training day and night in order to be the best version of myself. Lack of financial support only fuels competitiveness, the will to succeed only becomes more evident, because you alone know your story and the grind which you take to get to the international stage. The zeal to outperform everyone is constant, knowing that the underdog story is the story that makes others to believe, dream and aspire to do more despite not having the constant financial support to do what they want to achieve. So the hustle of an underfunded athlete is not one which goes unnoticed, it is one which can inspire millions, and tell the less privileged that despite coming from little, you can conquer the world.
This is a nice sentiment, lovable_grasshopper -- that the "underdog" will win through sheer determination. But what about when the technology given to some competitors gives a greater advantage even than what you call "the zeal to outperform"? The shoes that elite runners or the swimsuits that elite swimmers wear can give a big advantage in a race...
Well I think that it is fair when the prize money in sports differs because of the following reasons. Imagine this, a runner is training himself every day to become faster and better so that they can win. As we all know they are some people that are born naturally with the gift of very fast running so most times or instances, they might think (oh I'm very fast in running) so most of them think it is not necessary to train or to push themselves as hard as others and eventually the ones that train themselves very hard every day become faster and better than the ones naturally born fast. So prize money being increased for the fist place or second place is not to intimidate, disgrace or discourage anyone but rather, it is to encourage the others to train themselves harder like the first position/runner up.
The increase of prize money for different position also serves as a reward to those who worked harder and more diligent so that they can keep up he good work and also motivate them to motivate others. It also shows appreciation to the different positions and says "thanks" to them for taking the competition serious and for putting in their best.
With all these my points, I think that the Winter Games are equal and fair when the prizes or money differs. However, others might feel or see a different perspective.
I dont find it to be fair because I feel when they do so, the athletes may not really put in their best because after all they have access to the latest technology.And since sport is all about testing your talents and training I feel that would be a disadvantage on such athletes because they would be actually cheating themselves; why, because if technology is taken away from them, they would be rendered quite useless. Sorry to say. On the other hand, those that are pushing hard but unfortunately have no resources, may feel cheated.
I think it may not seem fair to others but every human has a different way they do their things, so in my opinion it isn't fair but it isn't the wrong thing to do either. The Winter Games are equal because even if people use technology to enhance their performance in the game, it depends on how that person intends to handle and uses it that matters. However, people may think it is used to cheat but even apart from helping the athletes, technology is very useful in the Winter Olympics. It helps in environmental control and provides more advanced safety measures in case of any injuries.
Hi, topical talkers, in my opinion, I consider this fair as funding of athletes may not be against the rules; but rather, I feel that teams who show great amounts of effort attracts sponsorship which could grant them the privilege of funds to acquire the necessary training facilities.
I think with the advantage of more funding from sporting organisations in some countries makes the Winter Games not fair. I find this question really interesting because as a fan in figure skating and an Indonesian citizen that has been intrugued by it, this question has been wandering in my head for a while. It is very clear that figure skating athletes from countries that invest more funding, performs better, shown by the previous figure skating womens singles Winter Games 2022 being dominated by Russian athletes. I say this without diminishing their efforts because I know that their preformances are combined efforts from the coaching and the athlete's own efforts and passion to their discipline---only having one of these aspects wont bring the most out of an athletes potential.
But trying to start doing the sport here in my home country seems impossible. First of all, being on the ice isnt even in our nature---we are a tropical country. We are severely lacking in coaches, equipment, only having a few skating rinks---that so only having public skating rink hours---where as other countries have experienced ex-olympian coaches, easier access to equipment where as only having a few physical shops in Indonesia, and more rinks. Not to mention, skaters are most likely from privileged background with money because it is one of the most expensive sports out there. I hope for a day where winter sport athletes representing my country can reach heights I would never imagine happening now. Let me know other opinions!
I think it's not fair so therefore the Winter Games are not equal because athletes with more money will be able to buy more expensive equipment like shoes and those things if their level is low which doesn't matter too much but however on a higher scale for example the coach or the food it matters too much because the food that athletes need does cost too much money and without this healthy expensive diet they wouldn't be in their best fit so they wouldn't be able to do their best and also good coaches cost mush money but you might think if the player is good they wouldn't be affected too much but no a real example in Egypt my favorite team a Alahly had a temporary cheap coach until they get a new one good one and the temporary was there for a few weeks and the team continued losing games but when the new coach came the good one the team won many games with the same players and everything so the coach matters and money is crucial to get a new coach. Another thing is the lifestyle needs money to be good and appropriate. An example is that in the last Olympics Egypt wasn't at its best and we didn't get many medals but one got a gold medal and world record in Pentathlete Ahmed Elgendy because he was from a rich family and got extra training in his lifestyle away from what the country affords which costed much money.
However, others might feel that it is fair because you will get much money and hard work then you deserve it but I don't think so because if you are born in an already rich family then you don't need hard work for the money only focus on the sport which isn't fair
Thanks for sharing your opinion. Please try to include punctuation to help make your points as clear as possible for everyone to read!
from my point of view this is not fair because in winter they have to buy some equipment that are suitable for winter . for example there is some teams that have good supplies while the other teams doesn't have the suitable supplies so that is not fair.
Can you say more on why this is unfair?
Sports is fair because it depends on their effort and skills. It is fair in the sense that no amount of money can replace years of training, discipline, and physical conditioning. Athletes still have to train many years, maintain peak fitness and body shape and built mental strength and consistency. without those things even best technology won't help. Talent + hard work are non-negotiable.
However, sports can be also be unfair because money can buy 'some' advantages. for example, richer teams can afford better coaching and sports science, advanced training facilities, high-tech equipment and recovery tools, nutritionist, psychologist and data analysis. These things can't compete instead of the athlete, but it can improve performance and reduce injuries. Two athletes with the same effort and skills may not get equal results if one has access to better support.
In my opinion, Winter Games are not completely fair. Sports reward effort and skills, but money can increase chances of success, so I think the Olympics should set strict rules for the equipment and a budget for each sport that all the countries can afford.
I believe that using technology that others can't afford during the Olympics is not fair.
Imagine that two cyclists compete with each other, one depending on his own skills, training and performance and the second one's country can afford efficient technology devices for him that can reduce the air resistance. Is this fair? It is like having a race between someone with light shoes and the other doesn't. It is like racing a sloth with a rabbit. It is like racing a kid with an adult. The Olympics are aiming to celebrate the human's achievements (pure performance) not the technology.
Competing in the Olympics using technology can reduce the hope for poor countries that can't afford technology. This can lead them in losing their dreams and their ambition.
How to solve this?
I think that there are three solutions whether to ban technology from the Olympics or to set some technology devices that all competitors can afford or that the Olympics can make the technology devices available.
To conclude, I think that there must be justice and equity in the Olympics.
Do you think it actually makes sense if some used technology and the others not since they can't afford it?
From my point of view, this is not fair because, in winter, teams have to buy equipment that is suitable for the cold weather, and they need suitable equipment for the weather. For example, some teams have good supplies, while other teams do not have the necessary equipment. the two teams must have the same supplies to be fair Therefore, this situation is unfair.
I don’t think that it is fair because some athletes might not have the money for some equipment as some people do have the money for equipment . So I believe that the winter games are not fair for people that have less expenses than other people. I believe that it is incredibly important to include everyone in everything.
I think all athletes at an Olympic level should be getting the same funding as their competitors, this is to ensure that every competitor gets an equal chance regardless of where they come from. Smaller countries, like ones in Africa, would likely not get as much funding as a country in the USA or Europe, which would put them at an athletic disadvantage . Although sports rely mainly on the determination and attitude in the game, I believe one of the most important steps to winning is preparation and teams with higher funding will automatically be able to supply their athletes with better preparation, like for example; dietitians or training facilities. So, I think the Winter games are for the most part not fair but I am aware that others will have different opinions and I believe this question is not as simple as a yes or no answer, but more as an answer with many contradicting aspects.
I belive that the true test of fairness in sports is the observance of universal laws and the unadulterated display of human potential. Thus, the winter games are fair and equal because, at the moment the starting gun is fired, the athlete's bank account is irrelevant. The test of succses in winter sports is the display of grit, mental toughness, and the product of thousands of hours of greuling practice-traits that cannot be brought with money. While the richer nation may be able to afford the "clutch" instinct or the guts needed to speed down the mountian at breakneck speeds.
The Olympics are a test of who can better maaster the environment or the sport, and their own body, not a test of who has more money or a test of the size of the research budget. In addition, international laws regulate the equipment used,so technology cannot replace the fundamental athleticism needed to win. Ultimately, the games are a fair contest because the playing field is determined by universal rules that prioritize the performance of the athlet instead of their financial statment. The Winter Games is an example of the potential that exist with in the human being, regardless of their wealth. Besides the judges won't decide the winner based on the technology they use at practice. They will decide the winner when the finish first or jump the highest,etc.
Honestly, I think it's fair. Sports is about the athletes talents, skills and determination. Even though money helps in better facilities and good equipment, I don't think it can actually make an impact in the mindset and determination of the athlete. For example, an athlete performs sport within his society, without given the opportunity to play at national level, he/she can use that medium as a motivation to improve or give up. It actually depends on the athlete's mindset and decision.
I think it is not fair because it can discourage athletes from achieving their goal and completely demoralise them, because for those who do not put effort in the activity will end up getting the gold while those that have done everything in their power to get that prize will end up living in doubt because the already have the mindset that money can buy everything. If money differs it shows that the rule ruled out are useless because the number one rule in every competition is no cheating , if cheating prevails then what the point on spending a lot of money of money to organise an event knowing fully well that the number one rule will be violated. So all I am trying to say is that money should not have its way in everything. Thank you.