Conclusion

I am very thankful I enrolled in this course. It has not only given me a better insight to how sports and athletes are affected on a global scheme, but also on cultural and ethical issues globally in sport.

I have learned so much about what is globalization, the most popular sports and athletes in the world,
and also peaked an interest in Olympic sports.

I didn't really ever consider soccer as the most global sport, but that proved to be my small-minded US (Ohio) raising. I believe the blogging was very beneficial to the course. I would recommend getting all of the class to participate in blogging because it enhances the course discussion and understanding of personal perspectives.

Having guest speakers also enhanced the course because of international, and experience based topics. Getting to see where those involved in sport have come from, what their cultural practices and beliefs within sport are and how we, as Americans can definitely benefit from studying sports globally.

Sport & Sexuality

After our recent study of sport and sexuality, I knew I had to comment on my blog of the topic. The Gender Trap highlighted subdued issues that arise in sport when it comes to intersex and transgender athletes.

It was new to me to hear of Renee Richards (Richard Raskind). I missed the story on ESPN, and am looking into finding the movie. I was really surprised in the time frame of the story. Renee Richards came out in a time where LGBT was unheard of, and when it was known was outraged and ostracized.

I admire her ability to come to grips with herself, and the courage to be open in the world at a time where not only was it very uncommon and disgraced, but also competitively in tennis.

I had heard if the Stockholm Consensus, but never took into account all of the harsh testing and guidelines transgendered athletes had to succumb to. I can't imagine the disgrace and shame a transgender female feels when being prodded and judged like cattle. But the question of why did the consensus address intersex?

Even as unaddressed intersex is, I have a hard time believing it is that uncommon globally. But the biggest thing I am interested in is researching further, how does such a large governing body, such as the Olympics gauge cross-culturally what is accepted and should be allowed as females and males in competition? It definitely would make a difference for strength, speed, etc. But when does ethics come into play? Where can a distinct line be drawn? I believe that the regulations will have to often change and adapt to a more/less welcoming society, and gender practices in sport.

Is Tiger back on the prowl?

After multiple class discussions on Tiger Woods this semester, he has been creeping through the fall season with a result the world has been waiting for. After 2 years of speculation, Tiger finally brings home a win from the Chevron Challenge in California. Back to back birdies in old school Tiger fashion pushed him narrowly to the top.

But this win still has fans aching and wondering will he be consistently dominant again? I believe Tiger will never regain the dominance, and success he had earlier in his career. I don't think that he is going to continue the two year struggle though. He has endured a world of hardships, mainly on his own account.

When someone lives through something so traumatic, and comes back into the spotlight to compete for his fans, his sponsors, and most of all himself- that goes to say that Tiger isn't finished yet. This win will definitely regain some of his faithful followers, but does the world still have room for Tiger's return? He's definitely got to do some damage to up and coming majors, still in chase for the record. I'll still be a fan of Tiger, and hope for his success- but I don't think the world will ever forget who he was for a awhile.  

Archived Post: Sorry for the delay!

This is a recovered post, from back when my blog was inaccessible. Sorry for the drought- back to the juicy blogging!

Dr. Cho made a visit to our classroom last week to tell us his story of growing up in South Korea, Last Thursday, Dr. Cho came to class and told his story about growing up in South Korea and the impact sports had on his life.  His presentation really opened my eyes about how I (and Americans) view other cultures and often stereotype people from different nations without even thinking about it.  I thought it was very interesting how Dr. Cho started by differentiating Koreans with other nationalities from Asia.  As Americans, we often combine Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, etc. into one culture and way of life.  However, he made me realize that they are all infact distinct cultures and dont have as much in common as we thought.  In addition, he talked about the night/social life of Koreans and it made me realize that they are human and just as fun as Americans.

Also, Dr. Cho talked about his interest in watching and playing American football as a kid growing up in South Korea.  This interest was developed due to an American Forces Network, which was shown on TV in Soul because of the U.S. Military stationed there during that time.  I was totally unaware that the public was able to get American Military Base TV stations showing the NFL, and even more unaware that football leagues/games were even played in the Asian areas.  I believe my "un-awareness" is due to the typical stereotype that American Football is only enjoyed here in the states, and especially not in Asia. 

The third thing I want to point out from Dr. Cho's presentation is the video he showed from the World Cup that was held in South Korea.  I thought it was amazing to see that many people lined up in the streets so passionate about 1 event/sport/game.  Many Americans may believe that we are the most sports oriented country, however, this video shows us that sport fans can come together in any country and be just as passionate.  In fact, I believe Dr. Cho said that there was an estimated 3 million fans that lined the streets for the watch party during that specific world cup game.  I dont think  I have ever heard of such an event in the United States.  Bottom line that I took away from Dr. Cho's presentation is that it opened my eyes and made me realize that passionate sport fans exist around the world.

Disabled athletes: Olympic broadcasting fair?

After personally knowing a handful of disabled athletes, and our class discussion on the Paralympics, I find myself wondering, if even to the extent current media coverage is at for the games, is it fair?
We were asked how many had seen some type of Paralympic games on tv, heard on the radio, or even seen footage on Sportscenter. Very few classmates had.

I understand that viewership for 'sitting volleball' or wheelchair racing would reach numbers that standard volleyball or foot races would get, but it is a question of ethics. Is it right that these sporting events don't get airtime? Awareness of the Paralympics will never grow, if it doesn't get the opportunity to.

I also wonder if the Paralympics and Olympics are held synonymously, instead of one after another in the same host city, and share global media coverage.... would awareness increase? I believe disabled athletes are just as important, and considered athletes as able bodied players. So it seems as if international Olympic and Paralympic committees should be working together to make the world see and respect sport as a whole, even when the play is slightly different. 

Call it Controversy

Marion Jones was one of the most well know athletes at the turn of the century. A former WNBA player (2010), and world champion track and field star, she has set the bar for many aspiring female athletes.

Jones won an outstanding 5 medals at the Sydney summer games of 2000. But later forfeited all medals from 2000 to 2007, after pleading guilty to investigative charges of using illegal substances.

Marion Jones lied to the grand jury about abusing performance-enhancing drugs. This scandal wasn't the first though for Jones. As a UNC Chapel Hill student, she began dating her track coach, who later had to resign from the position, per UNC student/employee conduct policies. (Professors/coaches/administrators, etc. were not permitted to have relations with university students.) A year later, Jones and the coach, CJ Hunter were married.

Jones began preparing for the 2000 Olympics with head coach Trevor Graham, while her husband also trained for Olympic shot put competition. Closer to competition time, Hunter withdrew from the Olympic contest due to a knee injury, but stuck on as a coach and supporter of his wife. It was later revealed, Hunter failed 4(+) pre-competition screening tests for drug use. He was removed of all credentials to attend the Sydney games. Jones and Hunter divorced in 2002.

A year later, Jones missed out on the world championships due to pregnancy, with her then boyfriends child. He was also an Olympic sprinter, but did not qualify for the games and was sought out as a suspect in the BALCO doping scandal. Jones' former coach, Trevor Graham was also accused and tried in the same doping scandal investigations. Bringing Marion Jones' practices into question.

As early as high school athletics, Jones was in the hot seat for using performance enhancing drugs. Protesting her squeaky-clean image, and never a recorded failed drug test, she seemed to hold to her name. But, within the BALCO investigation, the laboratory founder admitted that he had personally supplied Jones with illicit drugs on numerous occasions, before, throughout the 2000 Olympics, and after for years.

However, the early testing for performance enhancing drugs, found no detectable drug usage by Marion Jones. It wasn't until a 2006 investigation, when Jones tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. However, after legal representation deemed her second testing negative, she was waived of these new allegations.

Just one year later, Jones finally came clean about her illegal drug use, and faced sentencing. Marion Jones held a press conference admitting her guilt in two court trials, to her coaches, teammates, fans, and the IOC.  At the end of trial, Jones was given 6 months jail time, 200 hrs. community service and two years probation.  The US Olympic Committee revoked all of her medals, and she was banned by the IOC.

This is one of many cases brought to light with the BALCO doping scandal. Another prominent name would be the great Barry Bonds. This type of scandal begs the question what is ethical practices in sport? How far should governing committees go to test athletes, both professional or Olympic prior to, and during competition?

Marion Jones definitely tarnished her own glory, and it is hard to say she would have accomplished all of her feats without the aid of performance enhancing drugs.

Want to host the Olympics? 'Ya gotta be pretty, and rich"

After our class discussion on the Olympic bidding process, I had a conversation with a friend about all of the information that is taken into account: the years, money, and planning on even asking to be a host city. She said to me "well, I guess ya gotta be pretty, and rich or you ain't gettin" and she went on to speak of the commercialization our world has moved to, and the manifestation of money/power in athletics. I found it really hard to believe, as she is a younger, less educated student- especially in sports (she's an education major).

But after discussing this information with her, I was even more interested in the concept of planning for an entire Olympic event. A lot of different factors have to be considered some of those are climate, culture, location, finance, touristic appeal, and costs. It's a huge decision for a nation to consider, and especially actually attempt to host the Olympics, because it costs so much money and takes so much time. For this reason, it makes sense that some cities have hosted the games multiple times. Some of these include London, Lake Placid, Paris and Athens.

 I think I would enjoy working for the IOC, because I really enjoy and thrive at sports planning. However, I would also have a lot of anxiety because of the distance in time between each games. I don't know if I can wait that long in seeing the results of my work. Definitely want to attend an Olympic game, preferably summer- but want to experience both at some point! London 2012 would be amazing!!