Sport Ethic

According to Hughes and Coakley, "When athletes use the 'Sport Ethic'- which emphasises sacrifice for the game, seeking distinction, taking risks, and challenging limits- as an exclusive guide for their bahavior, sport and sport participation become especially vulnerable to corruption". This direct quote shows that both Hughes and Coakleys hypothesis proves detrimental to the US athlete. If athletes feel the need to conform to society's expectations, then althetes are not only vulnerable to the game, but to themselves. In many ways, feeling the need to conform to any particular level of performance can cause serious harm to an individual. In today's society, athletes are always exceeding limits to attain money and fame. Amoung US citizens and in US sport, success is often measured by money and fame. Ethics in today's society can pressure an athlete to reach beyond maximum legal and fair regulations to perform at over and above their body's ability,

The four dimensions of the sport ethic were previously listed. Each dimension portrays an athletes vulnerability and pressure to conform to societal expectations. An athlete's desire to excell and seek perfection is an obvious goal for the individual. "Being an athlete means making sacrifices for the game". This dimesnion of the sport ethic is something that is expected from athletes who prioritize their team and thier bodys before all else. For US athletes of all ages, you are taught that your dedication to the team is much greater and more importat than any other priority in your life. This "sacrifice" often leads to athletes playing with broken bones, torn ligements, and pressures athletes to do whatever posible to conform to society's expectations. Being an athlete involves striving for distinction." This dimension seems obvious, but keeping yourslef accountable to reach maximum potential is a key ingredient to success and a key ingredent to show an athletes extrenal determination. "Being an athlete involves accepting risks and playing through pain." The ability to play through pain isnt something an athlete can be taught, however conforming to the cultural "toughness" is an expectation that many athletes have to comply with. "Being an athlete involves refusing to accespt limits in oersuit of possibilities." Refusing to accept limits is an extrme vulnerability athletes face everyday. The ability to overlook the limits in hopes to reach a potential opportunity is a conformity. 

All in all, athletes have to comply to all norms and expectations of society which only get higher and higher each day. Their job is to show both internal and external determination and dedication to thie team.

Another aspect of the sports ethic is the temptation it leaves athletes with to use illegal substances to improve their game. One athlete was caught and actually stood trial after lying about the situation. That Athlete was roger Clemons. "The case writes a new chapter in one of baseball’s worst scandals, the rampant use of performance-enhancing drugs in the 1990s and early 2000s, and leaves Clemens‘ legacy in jeopardy" (WashingtonTimes).
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/aug/19/report-feds-plan-indict-roger-clemens/?page=all