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Should dangerous sports such as boxing or
motor-racing be banned?
Should dangerous sports be banned? Yes!
Millions of people play sport every day, and, inevitably, some suffer injury
or pain. Most players and spectators accept this risk. However, some people
would like to see dangerous sports such as boxing banned. This essay will
examine some of the reasons for banning certain sports.
Some sports are nothing but an excuse for violence. Boxing is a perfect
example. The last thing an increasingly violent world needs is more violence on
our television. The sight of two men (or even women) bleeding, with faces
ripped open, trying to obliterate each other is barbaric. Other
sports, such as American football or rugby, are also barely-concealed violence.
Some people argue that the players can choose to participate. However this is
not always the case. Many boxers, for example, come from disadvantaged backgrounds. They
are lured by money or by social or peer pressure and then cannot escape. Even in
richer social groups, schools force unwilling students to play aggressive team
sports, claiming that playing will improve the students' character (or the
school's reputation), but in fact increasing the risk of injury.
Even where people can choose, they sometimes need to be protected against
themselves. Most people approve of governments' efforts to reduce smoking. In
the same way, governments need to act if there are unacceptably high levels of
injuries in sports such as football, diving, mountaineering, or motor-racing.
I accept that all sports involve challenge and risk. However violence and
aggression should not be permitted in the name of sport. Governments and
individuals must act to limit brutality and violence, so that children and
adults can enjoy and benefit from sport.
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