Lessons from Lance Armstrong Cheating Scandal: Ethical Review

This case study delves into the ethical issues arising from the Lance Armstrong cheating scandal, focusing on the impact of doping on his reputation, the sport of cycling, and his team members. It identifies key ethical dilemmas faced by Armstrong and his team, including the use of illegal drugs, betrayal of fans, and the shame brought upon the sport. The analysis explores Armstrong's rationalizations for doping, highlighting the advantages it provided to riders. A SWOT analysis of ethical practices in sports is presented, along with recommendations for establishing channels of discussion to promote ethical conduct. The study concludes that unethical practices, even when seemingly advantageous, undermine the integrity and long-term success of sports, emphasizing the importance of ethical behavior for maintaining a sport's reputation.

LESSONS FROM LANCE ARMSTRONG
CHEATING SCANDAL

IDENTIFICATION OF THE ETHICAL
ISSUES WITH ARMSTRONG
The major ethical issues which were being faced by
Armstrong were based on the effect that was caused on his
reputation due to various rumours. The reputation of
Armstrong was totally destroyed which had further
tarnished the sport as well. The rumours which were spread
against Armstrong had also been able to affect the
reputation of others who were a part of the team. The major
ethical issues that were faced in this case was based on the
usage of illegal drugs at the time of cycling (Blanding 2013).

IDENTIFICATION OF ISSUES
CONTINUED ……..
The major ethical issues which have been identified in the
case are as follows,
 The usage of illegal drugs at the time of cycling.
 The betrayal that was done by Armstrong to his fans as
he had acquired the position of an icon.
 The shame which was faced by the sport due to issues
which had been faced by Armstrong (Blanding 2013).

IDENTIFICATION OF ETHICAL
DILEMMA WITH FELLOW EMPLOYEES
Armstrong had decided to use illegal drugs to improve his
performance levels in the cycling sport. However, the team
and other fellow riders needed to cooperate with him in
order to organize the process in an effective manner. The
major parts of the team who were also affected by this
decision include, medical staff, fellow riders and the
training related staff as well (Blanding 2013).

IDENTIFICATION OF ETHICAL
DILEMMA CONTINUED …….
The ethical issues that were faced by the team members are
as follows,
 The decision based on the ways by which they can
provide support to Armstrong related to the consumption
of drugs.
 The betrayal that will be done by the entire team to sport
which has provided them with the position and fame
(Blanding 2013).

DESCRIPTION OF ETHICAL VALUES
EMBODIED BY ARMSTRONG
Armstrong had mainly stated in his interview that the
doping based activities were widespread in the cycling
sport. However, he was able to implement these activities in
an effective and organized manner. Armstrong was thereby
able to provide opportunities various riders like Hamilton.
The major rationalization that was provided by Armstrong
was based on the ways by which the doping activities have
been helpful for the riders (Blanding 2013).

ETHICAL VALUES EMBODIED
CONTINUED …..
The major ethical values that were thereby modelled by
Armstrong mainly include,
The ways by which different riders were provided with huge
levels of advantages in an effective manner.
The illegal doping process was continued by Armstrong in
an organized way as compared to the other cyclists
(Blanding 2013).

IDENTIFICATION OF PROCESS USED BY
ARMSTRONG TO CONDUCT UNETHICAL PRACTICE
The unethical practices were implemented by Armstrong in
the sports with the help of his connection which were
established by him. He was able to include the entire team
in the process to provide the doping based services. The
riders were included in an effective manner by creating
their advantages as compared to the other riders. The
widespread nature of the doping activities was used as an
advantage by Armstrong (Blanding 2013).

SWOT OF ETHICAL
PRACTICES
• Strengths – The major strength which can be provided by the
ethical practices are based on the ways by which the sport can
retain its reputation effectively.
• Weaknesses – The major weakness on the other hand is based on
the widespread nature of the unethical practices in the system
• Opportunities – The usage of ethical practices can further
increase the chances of success of the sports.
• Threats – The ethical practices are threatened by the usage of
easier ways (Blanding 2013).

SPECIFICATION OF CHANNELS OF
DISCUSSION BASED ON ETHICAL ISSUES
The major channels of discussion based on the ethical issues
are based on the leaders or supervisors of the team. The
leaders will be able to provide appropriate training to the
members of the team (Blanding 2013).

SPECIFICATION OF THE
CHANNELS CONTINUED …..
The channels can be effectively used for the practicing of
effective ethical practices in the sport. The ethical practices
can further improve the reputation of the sport (Blanding
2013).

MY TAKE ON THE ISSUES
According to me, unethical practices are wrong even if they
used for providing someone with some major profits. The
unethical practices cannot provide long term success to the
sport.