2020, Volume 12, Special Issue 1
Sport and Tourism. Yesterday - Today - Tommorow
Eds. Dariusz Jacek Olszewski-Strzyżowski and Raluca Buhas
Sportsman’s authority in the perspective of man’s weakness
Marcin Pasek1
1Department of Physical Education and Social Sciences, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport
Author for correspondence: Marcin Pasek; Department of Physical Education and Social Sciences, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport; email: marcin.pasek@awf.gda.pl
Full text
Abstract
Background: History of glory and fall of the cyclist Lance Armstrong refers to the issues from the borderline of sociology, psychology, pharmacology and qualified sport. It stirs many emotions and extreme opinions in which human attitudes are focused on phenomena impossible to be interpreted unequivocally. The purpose of this research was to learn opinions on the life path of Lance Armstrong, regarding his struggle both with cancer and his rivals in the peloton, but at the same time marked with forbidden doping.
Material and methods: The research was carried out using the survey method, which asked one question about the ethics of behaviour of the former professional road racing cyclist.
Results: People participating in the research had their own oncological experience and pursued the passion of sport-recreational activity. That means that in both areas their life refers to the path of one of the most recognizable sportsmen of the turn of centuries. In most cases, they find understanding for his behaviour.
Conclusions: The main conclusion coming from the assessment of Armstrong concerns recognition that among people who have a similar history of life, most of them are able to indicate his numerous contributions to humanity, minimizing and sometimes even undervaluing shameful reputation, which disgraced professional sport.
Key words: cycling, cancer, doping, authority