The practice of cheating in sports is not new. Since the dawn of modern sports, many players have been caught cheating. Cheating has also influenced the top three professional sports in the United States. Major League Baseball’s historic Black Sox incident occurred in the early twentieth century. Later on, doping engulfed the sports world. Tim Donaghy, a referee, was discovered wagering in the games he officiated.
Many other well-known cheating scandals have also been exposed in other sports. Boris Onishchenko, a Soviet athlete, was caught red-handed cheating during the 1976 Summer Olympics. Boris was found tinkering with his fencing weapon to make it fire at his command. Lance Armstrong, a well-known cyclist, was also found doping during a race and had his several titles stripped away.
So, why do so many people lie? What did they think when they performed the act of cheating? What made them cheat in the first place? All of these topics are covered in detail further down in the essay.
Winning
Nobody can dispute that sports are primarily about competition. Marks may, in many situations, be just as significant in shaping a society. Baseball, for example, is a well-known aspect of American culture. Sports may also have an impact on how individuals interact and act. People cheer for various sports teams and players. These folks, often known as fans, express their feelings about sports. When their team loses, they get concerned, and when their team wins, they become ecstatic. Some people experience nervousness even before the game begins. These fans frequently attribute their team’s defeat to a home-field advantage or cheating.
Cheating in friendly games is beyond comprehension. When it comes to high-stakes professional sports, however, all players, teams, and coaches are focused on one thing that is winning. The level of competition is at an all-time high, and losing is not an option. As a result, some people will go to any lengths to win, even against sportsmanship and fair play.
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Morality and ego
One of the reasons why some individuals cheat in sports is because they want to achieve their goals. Athletes are divided into two categories. One who is laser-focused on a single goal and will work tirelessly to reach and fulfill that goal. The other kind is more concerned with improving oneself in comparison to others. They would concentrate on honing their talents. These are the most egotistical athletes. These sportsmen are less concerned with sportsmanship and morals, which frequently leads to cheating in sports.
According to some research, these sorts of cheaters are also less likely to feel bad after cheating. Many believe that cheating benefits them, leaving them with little or no regret. So, why do individuals in sports cheat? What motivates them to breach every law and regulation in the book? It’s rather straightforward.
In athletics, winning is extremely rewarding. The gap in prize money between first and second place is sometimes in the millions of dollars. Not only that, but the winner receives all of the glory. Almost no one recalls coming in second or third place. In sports, there is no other alternative except to win. Cheaters presumably thought it was worth it to be labeled a cheater in exchange for the glory and money that came with winning.
At the height of his career, Lance Armstrong was said to have a net worth of about $218 million. When he was discovered cheating, the federal authorities penalized him more than $100 million. When asked if he would cheat again if given a chance, Lance said yes, even after being caught red-handed and stripped of all his trophies. Cheaters in sports, such as Lance Armstrong, considered it worthwhile to trade all of their respect for a little money and recognition.