Back in August of 2004, Christopher Clarey watched what turned out to be a flawed shot-put event at the summer Olympics in Athens. Turns out the gold and bronze winners cheated. Mr. Clarey is very bitter about this. Not only was it hot and uncomfortable, but it took eight years to right the wrong.
"Retroactive has become the new active in this polluted, convoluted sports era, in which you can rarely be sure whether the race or game or shot-put contest you just spent a few precious moments of your life observing was what it purported to be.
At this stage, it seems that all sporting events should come with a disclaimer: consumer discretion advised."
Some say there are no real victims. But as Mr. Clarey eludes to, the time in our life is being stolen. Sports are entertainment, a diversion, but that is its inherent value. It takes us away from Macbeth's 'life is but a poor player' soliloquy, for a little while anyway.
More recent frauds in big-time sports are cycling, baseball and now an international cartel that fixes professional soccer games.
Adam Nelson competed in the 2004 shot-put event and maybe he will be awarded the gold medal in a belated ceremony. Adam responds to those who say it is a victimless crime and so do I.
"Hell no, it's not."
Sources:
Associated Press. "FIFA extends Chinese match-fixing ban." February 25, 2013. Web.
Clarey, Christopher. "When Victory Leaves a Sport at a Loss." New York Times; On Track And Field. February 18, 2013. D8. Print.
Jolly, David and Pianigiani, Gaia. "Italian Police Arrest Man in Soccer Match-Fixing Inquiry." New York Times; Soccer. February 21, 2013. Web.
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