Module 3: Contemporary issues

Current issues in sport

1. Introduction
2. Deviance
   1. Gamesmanship
3. Drugs and banned substances
   1. Reasons why people take drugs in sport
   2. Brief history of drugs in sport
   3. Banned substances activity
4. Globalisation in sport
5. Commercialisation
6. Health initiatives
7. Education and sport in schools
   1. PESSYP
   2. Other school sports initiatives
8. Child protection issues in sport
   1. Key principles that coaches must adhere to
   2. Types of abuse that can occur
9. Religion, culture and racism in sport
10. Gender
11. Current issues activity

Reasons why people take drugs in sport

• One of the major reasons for athletes' to use drugs is dissatisfaction with their progress and performance
• Belief that other athletes' are taking them thus creating an uneven playing field
• The financial reward for improved performance in the form of appearance fees, sponsorship, wages etc
• Pressure from coaches, family, friends and media to succeed
• Lack of knowledge of the side effects that are associated with taking performance enhancing drugs
• Values - some people think that the use of performance enhancing drugs is acceptable including notable sport sociologists