Competitions were frequently fixed in the Olympic Games of ancient Greece. Athletes bribed judges to get a place in the competition and then manipulated results so they could win. If the referees discovered that they cheated, they had to give money to build a statue of Zeus as a punishment. It is said that these statues lined the route to the Olympics stadium during the Greek era.
The Roman Emperor Nero (37-68, r.54-68) was one of the most well-known cheaters in the games. He went so far as to delay holding the Olympics for two years on the grounds that he was unable to take part in the games because of his busy schedule. Nero travelled to Greece to compete in the Olympics and took part in 1808 musical and chariot competitions. He won all 1808 of them. Nero actually took part at the 211th Olympiad’s tethrippon (τέθριππον, 4-hourse chariot) race, driving his own unique 10-horse chariot, but was thrown off during the race. He was helped back onto the chariot by spectators, but failed to finish the race because his horses became overexcited and threw him off once more. Despite not finishing, Nero was declared the winner. The emperor’s successor, Galba (3 BC-69 AD, r.68-69) revealed that Nero had paid a huge bribe to the Olympics judges to win the race.
The Roman emperor Caligula (12-41, r.37-41) was more interested in violence than winning athletic competitions. He pitted gladiators against animals in brutal battles of physical strength. If people questioned his methods or his selection of champions, he whipped them with chains.
Of course, people who want to manipulate game rules or fix competitions are stealthier today. Economists at the University of Innsbruck studied manipulation in football games during the 2000-2001 season in the German Bundesliga and local leagues. According to their findings, when it looks like the home team is going to be defeated by one point, referees help the team end with a tied score or a come-from-behind victory. If the home team insists on doing penalty kicks, referees accept the request 81 percent of the time, compared with only 51 percent of the time for the opposing team.
A few months ago here in Korea it was revealed that a former football coach at Korea University (高麗大學校, 고려대학교, Koryŏ Taehakkyo) habitually bribed referees to fix games. It is believes that he manipulated nine matches in his team’s favour during the 2008-2009 college football season. He paid referees some 15 million won (US$ 13 230) in return for manipulating regular matches against Yonsei University (延世大學校, 연세대학교, Yŏnse Taehakkyo). A football coach at Yonsei once angrily protested the referees’ obvious bias, but was ordered off the field.
It is unbelievable and disheartening to hear how far here in Korea corruption has tainted friendly football matches organized between schools.
The Roman Emperor Nero (37-68, r.54-68) was one of the most well-known cheaters in the games. He went so far as to delay holding the Olympics for two years on the grounds that he was unable to take part in the games because of his busy schedule. Nero travelled to Greece to compete in the Olympics and took part in 1808 musical and chariot competitions. He won all 1808 of them. Nero actually took part at the 211th Olympiad’s tethrippon (τέθριππον, 4-hourse chariot) race, driving his own unique 10-horse chariot, but was thrown off during the race. He was helped back onto the chariot by spectators, but failed to finish the race because his horses became overexcited and threw him off once more. Despite not finishing, Nero was declared the winner. The emperor’s successor, Galba (3 BC-69 AD, r.68-69) revealed that Nero had paid a huge bribe to the Olympics judges to win the race.
The Roman emperor Caligula (12-41, r.37-41) was more interested in violence than winning athletic competitions. He pitted gladiators against animals in brutal battles of physical strength. If people questioned his methods or his selection of champions, he whipped them with chains.
Of course, people who want to manipulate game rules or fix competitions are stealthier today. Economists at the University of Innsbruck studied manipulation in football games during the 2000-2001 season in the German Bundesliga and local leagues. According to their findings, when it looks like the home team is going to be defeated by one point, referees help the team end with a tied score or a come-from-behind victory. If the home team insists on doing penalty kicks, referees accept the request 81 percent of the time, compared with only 51 percent of the time for the opposing team.
A few months ago here in Korea it was revealed that a former football coach at Korea University (高麗大學校, 고려대학교, Koryŏ Taehakkyo) habitually bribed referees to fix games. It is believes that he manipulated nine matches in his team’s favour during the 2008-2009 college football season. He paid referees some 15 million won (US$ 13 230) in return for manipulating regular matches against Yonsei University (延世大學校, 연세대학교, Yŏnse Taehakkyo). A football coach at Yonsei once angrily protested the referees’ obvious bias, but was ordered off the field.
It is unbelievable and disheartening to hear how far here in Korea corruption has tainted friendly football matches organized between schools.
Giorgio Olivotto
Seoul, Korea
October 16, 2011
Seoul, Korea
October 16, 2011
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