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As the Tour de France approaches, the cycling world anticipates this prestigious event with mixed emotions.
While the race symbolizes fairness, purity, and athletic excellence, it also serves as a backdrop for a much larger debate due to a long legacy of doping and cheating which begs the question: does cheating pay off?
And what does this have to do with Tupac?
These hip-hip lyrics is reality in a nutshell and a concept understood by many who are playing to win the game, instead of winning a trophy.
read: Have Sports Crowned Hip-Hop?
Knowing the game being played changes the game-plan for the participants. All are playing to win, but how to obtain victory isn't always what we're told.
Some people are chasing a trophy, others want to get paid. Corruption in major global events like the Olympics and the World Cup, the Tour de France, and MLB have taught us a lesson, cheating pays.
Instances of bribery and corruption surrounding major sporting events, such as the 2024 Olympics in Paris and the World Cup bids for Russia and Qatar, raise significant concerns about the economic incentives for cheating. These allegations suggest that those who bend the rules understand they gain a distinct advantage over competitors who choose to play by the book. Bribes and corruption seem to be how victors are awarded, and those playing by the rules seem to have no chance.
Winner takes all and blood money sometimes easily surpasses honest money
read: Blood Money Is Better Than No Money Especially If Some Of It Goes To Charity
A prime example of the potential rewards of cheating can be found in the case of Lance Armstrong. Prior to his involvement in doping, Armstrong was relatively unknown in the cycling world. However, his consecutive victories in the Tour de France propelled him to international fame. The resulting endorsements and sponsorships far outweighed his earnings from cycling alone, making him a classic example of cheating being worth it from a financial standpoint.
The unsettling reality is that some athletes, nations, and officials intentionally plan and participate in illicit activities, leaving unsuspecting participants without a fair chance but are they just playing the game knowing that if they aren't they don't stand a change against the people who inevitably are? But, the same can be said in so many different aspects of life. Economic incentives seem to fuel much of the world despite what we're told.
Is merit only being sold to keep the field honest? Or is the integrity of the sports necessary to keep the product honest enough for bribes to command the highest dollar?
College admissions tell the same lies and the parallels between the sporting world and the game of college admissions are striking. While universities claim to value merit and academic excellence, the reality is more complex. Economic incentives and rule-breaking often play a significant role in shaping admissions decisions. The notion of "selling" merit becomes a marketing strategy to mask the true game being played behind the scenes. In this system, those who possess economic advantages and engage in questionable practices gain an edge over those who adhere to the principles of fairness and hard work.
The Illusion of Fairness Benefits Whom?
In sports and life in general, fairness and purity are marketed to fans and participants alike. Many athletes are punished and forbidden from gambling and accepting bribes yet closer examination reveals a system rife with contradictions.
While gambling is strictly punished, other practices like athletes gambling on sports, and affirmative action in college admissions, become easy targets for blame, creating a smokescreen that deflects attention from more significant issues. Don't hate the player, hate the game. This asymmetrical focus on easy enemies allows those who partake in more significant exploits to evade scrutiny and profit at the expense of fairness and integrity.
The Cost of playing fair
The allure of fairness and the belief that hard work alone leads to success can be detrimental to those who play by the rules. The reality is that understanding how to navigate the system and exploit loopholes often offers greater advantages than sheer merit. Individuals who adhere to the principles of fairness and integrity may find themselves at a severe disadvantage, sacrificing their own sanity and well-being in pursuit of a dream that may remain elusive without the knowledge of how to play the game.
Imagine believing you're barely scraping by in school or getting left behind in your races, only to find out everyone else has always been cheating.
What's merit?
The discussion surrounding cheating and its potential rewards forces us to question the concept of merit itself. As instances of corruption continue to surface, it becomes clear that true merit may not always be the driving force behind success. Instead, a deeper understanding of the rules of the game, coupled with economic incentives, often determines outcomes. This challenges the prevailing narrative that hard work and merit are the sole paths to achievement, highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of success.
As the Tour de France captivates audiences around the world, the debate surrounding doping and cheating in sports intensifies. Instances of bribery in global sporting events and the game of college admissions shed light on the economic incentives that drive unethical behavior.
The illusion of fairness and purity in sports often masks the true nature of the game, where those who exploit the system and bend the rules can reap significant rewards. The cost of playing fair can be high, leaving individuals disillusioned and questioning the true value of merit.
Did you really win if you had to cheat, is it cheating if everyone is doing it, can you win if you don't?
