For people of us who are activity lovers we might have recognized that throughout the world sports has long been corrupted over the earlier several years by commercialism and drug abuse by athletes. Like of money (the basis of all evil) is generating a nonsense of aggressive activity.




COMMERCIALISM OF Activity




Experienced sport has normally been performed for reward, although not for very much. But within the 1980's there was an awesome influx of expenditure in throughout the world activity notably cricket, soccer and athletics.




In cricket, an Australian Tv tycoon named Kerry Packer, employed the very best players on the planet to participate in cricket in Australia and compensated them exorbitant dollars in a sport which had hitherto been starved of resources. Packer cricket lasted only about 3 several years although the Packer revolution because it was termed experienced ignited a spark in players to go after large bucks anywhere and nevertheless it may be located - 'Have Bat Will Travel'. So we had rebel tours to apartheid South Africa by some West Indian players as they went on the lookout for their kruggerands and various players have been caught 'selling' matches. Dollars had arrive in the video game to remain and many cricketers now make $1.55 million for your five week year (World's Best - Earning Cricketers by Schwartz & Smith 2009), a far cry from yester year.




In athletics, expenditure was restricted originally because athletes were being amateurs and could not be paid out but they soon uncovered a way around that by setting up trusts which could receive the payments on their behalf. Also, the line between the amateur and the expert is breaking down as the International Olympic Committee is increasingly letting in professionals in events such as soccer, tennis canada goose trillium parka and basketball because they have commercial appeal i.e. put a line of clothes on them, put them before the cameras and everybody will rush in to buy. In any event lots of athletes are now turning professionals.




In soccer, there continues to be a similar inflow of cash as rich businessmen from East Europe, America and the Middle East are buying up leading clubs in Europe and then buying the prime gamers where ever they can be identified. All done with one goal i.e.to win. Another popular form of investment is through sponsorship, for example a company will bankroll a team and in return stipulate the terms on which that team participates in games and competitions. Soccer players' salaries now average $14.67 million a year (How Significantly Do Soccer Players Generate? by K. Madden). Club Directors also do well for themselves by selling their shares in top rated clubs (China Daily by Geoffrey Wheatcroft 2007).




Sport is no longer played for the really like of the sport or staying loyal to your team or admirers or even to your country. While the Packer cricketers ended up negotiating to play for Packer to compete with official cricket they ended up still playing for their countries. It is a question of 'show me the money' and ' win at all costs'. There have been numerous cases of cheating, for example the hand of God from Thierry Henry and fake injuries and blood in rugby.




There is now controversy as to whether athletes deserve their million dollar contracts. Corporations virtually own the players with tremendous control around them and their activity. Many highly compensated players are not worthy of their status while less popular sports activities like Brazilian women's soccer lack the backing they need because they don't fit the sponsors criteria.




DRUG USE




Drug use in sport is around for a several years though the influx of massive income within the last 30 a long time has greatly fueled the desire to win even if you have to get some help.




This expenditure in sport has produced large financial rewards for the investors through sponsorships, tv rights, advertising, gate receipts etc. It has also helped to improve facilities, provide training and higher incomes for competitors especially within the poorer countries.




But there has also been a downside. There is the tendency now to cheat because of the lucrative rewards that can be gained. Add to this, the rapid advancement in modern medicine and canada goose jacket technology so that drug use in activity has now become common place. It can be done as part of Government policy as was done during the former East Germany but more often it is done on an individual level by the competitor with the collusion of the coach and sometimes the sports activities association.




Some competitors get away with it while others are not so lucky. Inside the London Olympics a number of athletes from various sports activities were sent home because they failed drug tests.




Accusations and cross accusations are now rampant so that anyone who performs well is now the target of suspicion. American talk radio now accuse Jamaican sprinters of 'funny business' and allege the Jamaican drug testing system is not sophisticated enough to stop them. But I have not heard of one case of them "catching" any Jamaican competitor at an international competition. And it has not been for want of trying. At the Beijing Olympics Usain Bolt was tested 34 times.




Cash has so overtaken sports activities today that every sporting activities story is not about the achievements of athletes but about earning cash and this has also infected athletics organizations- wherever you have cheese you find rats. Sporting activities columns are not about engage in but about the trading of gamers. In cricket, limited above games ended up formed specifically for commercial purposes. Games ended up originally 60 overs but are now only 20 as organizers rush to make a fast buck. Inside the London Olympics soccer games ended up even interrupted for advertising.




Athletics are no longer played for canada goose online fun but is now a multi billion dollar business. Sports activities organizers, competitors, the media and massive business have all contributed to produce the 'show' that we now call sport. The biggest loser is the fan. That is a pity because for me activity was one of the last avenues of recreation and diversion.