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VIOLENCE
IN
SPORTS
Is there abetter way?
I
T's T IME
we took a long,
hard look at where mod–
ern competitive methods
have led society.
The trampling of fans at the
soccer stadium in Brussels, Bel–
gium, May 29 shocked t he
world. But it was only t he latest
in a series of tragedies.
In 1964, to cite one example,
sorne 300 people were killed and
500 injured in Lima, Peru , ata soc–
cer match between Argentina and
Peru.
In 1984 fans caused immense
damage in and around. the stadium
in París, France, after France beat
England 2-0.
At U.S. sporting events it is not
unusual to hear the crowd shout,
" Kili the umpire!" Or "Stomp
'em!"
Wor ld-known boxers, baseball
and footbaJI players, imd even ten–
nis players have become noted for
their unsportsmanlike att itudes.
They throw tantrums, dispute calls,
antagonize their opponents.
1 remember in the 1950s when 1
was participating in high school
and college t rack and field. One
book 1 read, written by a nationally
known coach, advocated runners
"psych" themselves up before a
race by working up a hatred for the
other runners. He said, "Think of
12
by
Ronald O. Kelly
pulverizing them, grinding them
down, killing them. Then take out
your anger as you smash them in
defeat on the running track."
1t seems, too, as though money
and corruption have gone hand in
hand in sports. Competitive sports
are big business and there are big
problems accompanying big-time
spor ts.
Yet few seem to question what is
the best way to deal with these
problems-few are willing to evalu–
ate the
CAUSES.
Not Limi ted to Athletics
We hear them every day. Expres–
sions such as " lt's a jungle out
there." ' 'Cutthroat." "lt's a dog–
eat-dog world." That seems to be
the natural way to descri be every–
day business.
T he modern world thrives on
competition. We accept it as a fact
of life. "Win at all costs" is the
style. One popular book on business
management is even titled
Winning
Through lntimidation.
Where did it all start- this high–
ly competitive way of life? Why
does everyone have to be in compe–
tition? What ever happened to
cooperation?
From the time we are small chil–
dren we learn the way of competi–
tion, selfishness and greed.
Have you ever observed two
sma11 children playing in a room?
If
one s tarts to play with a toy,
almost always the other will try to
take it away. They tug and pull.
One starts to cry (the one who loses
the grabbing contest). Yet parents
smile about how cute all little chil–
dren are.
A few years later competition
manifests itself in neighborhood
sporting events. Boys go toa school
yard to play ball. The biggest and
best athletes are elected captains.
They choose the remaining players
till finally those with the least abil–
ity are chosen.
If
there are enough
players the least athletic will not be
selectcd at all, but will have to
watch from a nearby bench.
Why?
Because everyone wants to win.
And those who are not gifted at
Clockwise from lower left: Detroit fan
s tands near burning police car after
1984 World Series victory. Figbt on
the ice in 1985 Stanley Cup
Conference play-off game. Aftermath
of February 1984 ma tch between
France and England. Drama tic and
terrible occurrence before the
beginning of the final game of the
European Cup, May 29, 1985, in
Heysel Stadium, Brussels. Bri tish fans
attack ltalian supporters of tbe
Juventus team of Turin. May 1964, a
distraught fa ther clutches limp body
of bis son-one of bundreds killed or
injured in soccer riots in Peru.
The PLAIN TRUTH