There are several issues affecting sports today, but the biggest is the money. Many sports have become so big and profitable that it’s driving out the people who made them grow in the first place. This is a major issue, because the money brings temptations to cheat. But there are solutions to this problem, too. These include research on concussions and head injuries. Let’s look at three of them.
Underfunding: In the current economic climate, sport is facing a severe funding crunch. The loss of jobs is threatening access to sport and physical fitness. There are funding cuts to grassroots sports programmes and sport for development programmes, which are often aimed at young people. There are also health risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The long-term consequences of the disease are unknown, but they can have devastating implications on people’s lives and health.
Racism: While it is hard to pin a specific issue in sports, there are many other issues in the modern world. The increase in popularity of sports has led to political influence. Athletes can run for office. Political candidates can leverage the power of athletes to further their campaigns. Even terrorists can use sports to reach out to specific demographics. There’s a growing trend of political and social influence in sports, and this is a major issue.
Ethics: Sports are often tainted by ethical debates. This year’s MMA and boxing fights were notorious for brutal finish, and Shakur Stevenson is scheduled to headline an ESPN boxing event in October. This debate is still very real, as these sports are a way of life for many people. For some, these issues are too big to ignore, and they need to be addressed.
