Scrapbook Item 4: 2012 Olympic Logo Considered Racist

Link to this article: http://www.newsytype.com/4520-2012-olympics-logo/

In class on October 13, 2011, we talked about specific events that impacted the Olympics in the upcoming years. Many dealt with boycotts or actions that took a toll on outside of countries with threats or propaganda or other sorts. One problem that escalated with the Olympics coming up in the next year was the the new logo was considered racist in the eyes of Iran. They believe the logo to be spelling out "Zion" and it is racist towards Israel. They are threatening the IOC that they will keep their athletes home for the 2012 Olympics if this logo is to continue to be the main one.

In Coakley's text on pages 450-458, it talks about Olympic history and if it is really special as we make it out to be. We put a lot of stress on the Olympics every four years and each year, whether it is big or small, there is no way that they IOC can make each individual country that is participating in the games happy one hundred percent of the time. There are ways that the IOC can make it easier on themselves when preparing the games but it is hard to make all those people happy and not find even the smallest thing that upsets a group of individuals. Each country has their own view and values on different activities which ends up making things hard to accomplish.

Coakley talks about how there is so many issues with the games that have led to different outbreaks. People end up bribing to host the games, the boycotts if countries do not like what other countries have done in the past or the choices of the IOC, etc. With the global processes that are going on in society, they link together with international sports played around the world. If there was anyway that the IOC could eliminate the politics from the Olympics and please all of the countries that are participating then there would be no problems. The only issue with that statement is that we do not live in the perfect world on Earth like we wish we all did and sometimes perceive to believe.

Although Iran does not like the design, it clearly states the reasoning to why it is designed this particular way and it is not racist towards any other countries. There are always going to be issues between countries because nothing can ever be truly perfect. The IOC and all participants just need to take a step back and breathe by getting themselves prepared for the games in less than 12 months. The games will be starting soon and the countries should be on some good terms before they arrive in London during the month of August. I believe that Iran can look past it and the countries should be on better terms before the games begin. If politics would stay out of sporting events everything would run a lot smoother but like stated above, we do not live in the perfect world that we wish we did and there is always room to change and improve in the future.

Scrapbook Item 3: Nothing is Going to be Fun or Free Anymore

Link to this article: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703864204576313572363698678.html

In class on September 29, 2011, we talked about the costs to play high school sports now in the 21st century. Costs have started to be put on high school athletics ever since budget cuts have started to be made with economy getting worse and worse. In Coakley's text on pages 491 and 492, it talks about high school budgets and how they impact the interaction of sports for students. Although many high school programs use to get sponsorships in the past, it was dwindled greatly since the economy began to go south. Many programs still get the sponsorships from boosters and small, local corporations but it is not enough to support which is why districts are starting to make students pay for the activities they want to participate in.

High school used to be the time to figure out what you enjoyed, that way it would help shape you for college and you could continue doing those activities as you grew. With prices going on not just athletics but other club activities as well, it makes it hard for students to want to participate in so many groups. Athletes may not have the money to participate which is why they have to rely on others. Football and basketball though are main sports, especially if they have winning records, usually do not have to worry so much about the different funding. Even though Title IX is in effect, Coakley makes a good point on page 492 that even though boosters and companies are still donating, they can ignore girls teams if they feel necessary and only give the money to the teams they truly support. In the article as well, it talks about different high schools and how the cost for classes and organizations is adding up more and more that impacts the education a student might receive before attending college.

Although the budget cuts need to happen to give money to other areas that really need it, the costs on all the different activities for a high school student is a little much. It is different if it is on certain activities but on everything a student participates in, especially classes, takes it to a new extreme. Students are not going to be as well-rounded when applying to colleges now because they can't afford it, which isn't necessarily their fault and should not impact them so much when they are trying to enjoy their teenage years and get an education.
If an athlete wants to participate in sports, they should be able to because it helps them develop as a person. Adults should be willing to help students out instead of putting fees on them with their activities because they are just bringing them back instead of moving forward in their advancement towards a bright future.

Scrapbook Item 2: Values of Violence and Fighting in Sports

Link to the Article: http://www.ajc.com/news/high-school-coach-badly-1203243.html

In class on September 13, 2011, we talked about values in sport and what they uphold to athletes and spectators all around. We went into a lot of detail on four different aspects but two that relate to this article are character building and competition/winning. In this article, it talks about a fight that broke out between two high school teams after a brutal homecoming game where the team lost 21-2. The visiting team had been locked out of their locker room and had to defend themselves against the home team but while in the process of the coach trying to stop it, he was smashed in the head with a helmet.

Since the home team was in such a uproar because they lost and wanted to fight, a coach was injured for no apparent reason. They wanted to win that game at any cost and since they lost, they were going to take it out on the team that beat them instead of realizing that it was their own faults. What character do those students have for going and fighting outside the locker room before the players could even truly celebrate? The judgment used by these students was poor and because of their mistakes, not even a student was hurt but a coach that has been in the hospital getting corrective surgery done to fix his face since.

I believe that winning at all costs is a method that should be taken lightly and not so seriously by some athletes. The way an athlete handles him or herself after a win or loss relates back to their character building and the actions they were taught as they learned to play the game. The values that an athlete and coach uphold really show the maturity when they are on and off the field and how they should be viewed by others. The spectators should uphold the same values and remember them before they start a fight in the stands at the next game attend. Even though the athlete, coach or spectator make think it is a good idea at the time, they must realize that there may be consequences to themselves or others around them that they cannot control. Values are something that should be upheld whether playing sports or not, they may just be altered in different aspects but are ones that should always be respected in any situation.

Scrapbook Item 1: Sports Gambling Continuing to Grow like Sport Business

Link to the article: http://www.lvrj.com/business/leader-predicts-fast-growth-for-sports-gambling-in-state-121433514.html

During class on September 1, 2011, we talked about different reasons on why we should study sport in this day and age. One that really stuck out to be was that sport gambling was still such a growing business even though it is done legally and illegally within the country. Throughout Coakley's text on pages 21-26, it talks about the interaction of social life with sport. Although our economy has been a down slope and slowly making its way back up, sport has still stayed high up in making a profit with sales and gambling as well. Many people come together on betting around the big events such as bowl games, championships, rivalries, etc. and hope to leave with a big amount of money once the contest is completed. Most states though do not have the clearance to participate in these activities, so many citizens will travel or do it illegally. The business doing it legally makes around 24 billion dollars but when done illegally it is about 380 billion dollars. That is a huge difference in outcome with people participating in the business around the United States.

Nevada is the main place for these gambling activities to take place. Many travel to the city of Las Vegas particularly just to place all their bets way in advance on certain games in the future especially rivalry and bowl games for collegiate football. Within the article, it talks about how the gambling world is growing and getting more high tech within the United States and is a huge business over in Great Britain. Although we sometimes have to do it secretly and illegally, Britain has bookies on the street corners all over the nation. Since our economy is growing and starting to rise again, businesses will begin to get better as well and you can bet that the gambling business will be getting much higher.

Although it is illegal, many people find it fun and the risk take gets them going which is why so many still participate in it every sports season. The gambling world is just one reason that is very intriguing to why we should be studying sport in the 21st century. It is something that has been going on for quite sometime and it will continue to grow as long as sports are still being played around the world. The sport business is growing still and it has created its own little gambling business that will continue to grow as long as the athletes continue to play in the games every week of the year. When the players on the field do well, the gamblers and bookies will end up winning and losing as well; either way on each end of the spectrum, sport is a billion dollar industry that needs to be studied by all.