Whatever Happened to GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP? - Graemme J Marshall - July-August 1984

Graemme J Marshall

It was the men's singles tennis final. The armchair sportsman adjusted his TV set and sat back comfortably to watch his favorite sport-played by the current champions. TV cameras panned around the huge crowd. The day was hot, tension hung in the air and the contestants were nervous. Play began and the shots were dazzling. The match was even. As it hung in the balance, tempers flared-and then came a disputed line call. It was all that was needed to set off a torrent of abuse at line judges, the umpire and spectators. Then came the throwing down of a racket, the hitting of balls in the net and vocal exchanges with spectators. It was an all-too-common "sporting" scene and not confined only to tennis. The TV viewer's own anger now erupted at the hold-up in play. " Get on with the game," he shouted at the TV set. "Don't take that from him, Ump. Send him off the court! Ban him from the game." But it fell on deaf ears. The TV set couldn't transmit his feelings. - Information Supplied By: Herbert W Armstrong Library