Olympics

Does bribery exist in the Olympics?

Erica Barron

Ms. Pastore

ENG 4U1

Monday February 24th 2014

It is arguable whether or not bribing exists in the Olympics. Some may say that it is just a rumour to sabotage the host or country being accused; others believe that certain countries team up to knock countries who may seem to be a threat off the podium. The 2014 Winter Olympics show numerous signs of bribery not only in the games but in the choosing of the location. Russia, the host of the 2014 Winter Olympics has several strikes against them when the topic of bribery is brought into the mix and it is very easy to establish the answer to the question at hand.

Definition of terms:

Conjecture: an opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information.

Rumour: a currently circulating story or report of uncertain or doubtful truth.

Frail: weak and delicate.

Allegations: a claim or assertion that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically one made without proof.

Pharmaceutical: of or relating to medicinal drugs, or their preparation, use, or sale.

False scoring and paying-off judges have become a big problem in the 2014 Winter Olympics. More specifically, figure skating and the United States helping out Russia. “There is no help between countries,” the United States association said in a statement. “We have no further response to rumours, anonymous sources or conjecture.” (JERÉ LONGMAN, New York Times)

The United States made it clear that there is nothing going on between their team and Russia’s, and why would there be? The rumours have been brought up to give the United States a bad name. If they were to help Russia it would not help them in the long run because they would have one less gold than the Russians, making their chance to win very frail.

The rumours of the United States and Russia helping each other out have been put to rest with the official medal count of the 2014 Winter Olympics. The United States...