The record books may not be changed, but South Korean Park Si Hun’s decision to return the 1988 Olympic gold medal he won controversially over American Roy Jones Jr exemplifies true sportsmanship.
That the matter was only recently revealed by Jones, two years after receiving the medal from Si Hun, solidifies the Si Hun’s character, not making it into a media fanfare.
The decision to award the gold to Si Hun shocked everyone, especially after he had to endure a standing eight count and being out boxed 2-1 by Jones.
Despite the setback Jones went on to carve out an illustrious professional career. Si Hun, on the other hand, retired after the Olympics but later returned as the South Korean national coach.
While the International Olympic Committee refused to overturn the decision, they did end up banning for life two of the five judges from that championship fight, and altered its judging methods which puts more emphasis on the counting of punches landed. And while the IOC did not offer even a replica gold medal, they did bestow upon Jones nine years later the Olympic Order, in recognition of a victory not recognized at the time.
It may have taken 35 years for the injustice to Jones was “remedied”, sort of. But there are any others who have also been at the receiving end without a resolution or remedy.
One recent incident was when Lewis Hamilton lost out on a historic eighth world Formula 1 championship in what was described as a manipulated and controversial finish.
In the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Max Verstappen won on the final lap after race director Michael Masi’s decision to allow only specific lapped cars to unlap themselves under a late-race safety car, which allowed a one-lap shootout between the two drivers. Hamilton, who had been leading the race and title fight, was on older tires compared to Verstappen’s fresh ones, leading to his defeat and the rejection of Mercedes’ subsequent protests and appeals.
The FIA (International Automobile Federation) conducted an inquiry into the events, which led to changes in the racing structure and the removal of Masi as race director. But the results stood with the FIA concluding that the controversy was down to ‘human error’.
Hamilton was given a knighthood not too long after the controversial race, but that would not erase the fact that he was denied a record breaking feat.
At the 1912 Olympics in Sweden, American athlete Jim Thorpe was stripped of his gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon after it was learned that he had played professional minor league baseball three years earlier.
In solidarity, the decathlon silver medalist, Hugo Wieslander, refused to accept the medals when they were offered to him.
The gold medals were only restored to Thorpe’s children in 1983, 30 years after his death.
Who can ever forget the Hand of God goal that despite being a clear violation was never rectified.
During the 1986 World Cup, Argentine legend Diego Maradona scored the most controversial and scandalous goal in soccer history in the quarter-final match against England.
At 0-0 in the 51st minute, Maradona, arguably the greatest footballer ever, received a pass in front of goal—he proceeded to tap the ball in with his hand. He later admitted to the cheating.
Argentina won the match and eventually the tournament for the second time.
Professional boxing, perhaps, has seen many bouts going against the better boxers. But boxing also had its fair share of nameless victims, when eligible boxers being denied a shot at the title.
In boxing, there are four major world championship governing bodies: the WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF.
The IBF (International Boxing Federation) was one of the younger governing bodies, beginning operations in 1984. Their rankings and championship title shots were almost immediately paid for, by $338,000 in bribes.
Bribes from big promoters ensured their fighters stayed ranked above other fighters just getting by.
This scheme would go on for over 13 years before an investigation was made, and IBF President Robert Lee was arrested, along with three other officials who were charged with taking bribes.
Over 23 boxers and 7 promoters, including promoters Don King and Bob Arum, were revealed to have been involved in fights tainted by bribes.
While, the gesture by Si Hun in returning his gold medal to Jones, is a bright spark, there has been many instances where athletes haven been denied their rightful place.
Be it corrupted administrators, bribe taking referees or cheating or doped athletes, denying a fair shot at winning is not sports is all about.
An understanding of and commitment to fair play, ethical behavior and integrity, and general goodwill toward an opponent.
Many recent survey around the globe is seeing a decline in sportsmanship even at the youth level.
Society, and particularly the media, has increasingly emphasized winning and results over the effort and development that occurs during sports. This has resulted in athletes putting winning above everything else.
There has been too much emphasis on the outcome above the process.
We have to let sportsmanship prevail or sports becomes just another side show.
S.T. Arasu is a former two-time Malaysian Sportswriter of the Year
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