The Concussion Crisis Explored at Ethics in Sport Conference
Posted on: 10 November 2015
The concussion crisis in sport, lessons from past child sex abuse scandals and alcohol sponsorship were among topics explored by top names in the sporting industry at a major interdisciplinary conference on ethics in sport held in Trinity College Dublin on Saturday, November 7th, 2015.
The Ethics in Sport conference, hosted by Department of Religion and Theology at the Confederal School of Religions, Peace Studies and Theology, probed some of the most pressing ethical issues in sport today. The event, held in the Trinity Long Room Hub, heard from key figures in the sporting industry, including Irish swimming champion and whistleblower Garry O’Toole, GAA legend Joe Brolly and Suzanne Costello, CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland.
Event organiser Dr John Scally, Adjunct Assistant Professor in Ecclesiastical History, Trinity, commented: “New revelations about the scale of drug cheating in athletics, the corruption allegations plaguing FIFA, aggressive targeting of players during the Rugby World Cup and concerns about a ‘win at all costs’ mentality infecting the GAA all raise serious questions about the scale and breadth of ethical issues in sport today. Sport is a microcosm of society. If our language is part of who we are, our sports actually tell us who we are. When we know the way winners and losers are treated in sport and the way rules are enforced, then we know a great deal about the larger society in which it exists. The defects we find in sport: cheating, violence and drug abuse are an integral part of the wider society.”
At the event former Roscommon footballer, Karol Mannion delivered a talk entitled ‘The Concussion Crisis?’ and reflected on the recent high-profile media attention around this contentious issue as well as reflect on the serious after-effects of his two experiences of concussion on the GAA playing fields.
Swimming champion and whistleblower Dr Gary O’Toole discussed the lessons to be learnt from past child sex abuse scandals in swimming. Suzanne Costello, CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland, discussed the issue of sponsorship of sport by alcohol brands.
George Hook, broadcaster and rugby journalist, gave a personal perspective on the issue of sports and ethics in the opening address. ‘Mind matters’ and the relationship between sport and mental health was discussed by Gareth O’Callaghan, broadcaster, therapist and mental Health campaigner, and by Colin Regan, GAA Community and Health Manager.
The conference concluded with the GAA legend Joe Brolly speaking about on ethics and the GAA.
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