Corruption

Australia: Sport, business and cheating

The Olympic Games have highlighted that there's a long way to go before anyone can be confident that winners have won without cheating.

According to the International Olympic Committee's website, 'The goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practiced without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.'

'Fair play' means athletes competing against each other based on natural ability, discipline and hard work. This holds true for business. Companies should be competing for business based on the quality of their services or products and competitive pricing.

The introduction to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Resource (FCPA) Guide states, 'The Act was intended to halt those corrupt practices, create a level playing field for honest businesses, and restore public confidence in the integrity of the marketplace.' This statement could easily be adapted to the sporting environment.

For both elite sport and global business the aim is to win. But, in both, unethical conduct can gain an advantage: elite sport through doping; and the business world through corruption.