Olympism, shamateurism and sport as a political tool

Overview

Olympism, shamateurism, the Olympics leaving strict amateurism, the Lombardian ethic, boycotts, the Black Power salute of 1968, sport against apartheid in South Africa, diplomacy and national identity.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   What is Olympism?

   Model answer

   Olympism is the philosophy of the Olympic movement, blending sport with culture and education. Olympism promotes peace, respect and fair play.

2. 2

   What is shamateurism?

   Model answer

   Shamateurism is receiving payment while claiming amateur status. Shamateurs were paid secretly or through expenses and jobs.

3. 3

   Give an example of shamateurism.

   Model answer

   Some rugby union players received so-called boot money before the game turned professional. Some Eastern bloc athletes were state employees who trained full-time as amateurs.

4. 4

   How did the Olympic Games move away from strict amateurism?

   Model answer

   From the 1980s, the IOC let each sport decide whether professionals could compete. The USA sent a Dream Team of NBA players in 1992.

5. 5

   How has professionalism affected sporting ethics?

   Model answer

   Large rewards have raised the importance of winning. Gamesmanship and deviance have grown as a result.

6. 6

   What is the Lombardian ethic?

   Model answer

   The Lombardian ethic is the belief that winning is the only thing that matters. The ethic is named after the American football coach Vince Lombardi.

Other ways to work this

The same content, four other ways.

What is inside Levo

Six ways to work the same material.