Amsyar; "The reality of sports today is that it is unsporting.How far do you agree with this view?"

I agree with the view stated in the question because athletes, driven by their desire to win, may resort to dishonourable means, such as cheating or taking performance enhancers. It is obvious that a sportsman would want to win his game. However, the extent to which a sportsman wants to win can differ greatly. The lines between the those who want to win fairly, and those who want to win at all costs are blurred. A prime example would be the american olympic sprinter, Marion Jones. She had previously won 5 medals at the 2000 Summer Olympics. However in 2007, she admitted to taking steroids before the 2000 Summer Olympics. She also acknowledged that she had continuously lied about her use of steroid to the press, various sports agencies and even two grand juries.Thus this shows that some athletes would do anything to win. However, although there still are athletes who use these methods to get ahead of their competitors, it is not allowed. Measures have been installed to try and wipe out the use of performance enhancers. For example, the governing bodies of different sports conduct stringent checks on their athletes to prevent them from taking those drugs. Therefore, although there are still athletes who cheat and take performance enhancers to win, these are just the minority of athletes as most athletes would not want to jeopardise their careers. Furthermore, cheating and taking these drugs are strictly not allowed, and there are stringent checks on the athletes to ensure that they do not use these underhand methods to win.

ALICIA "The reality of sports today is that it is unsporting." How far do you agree with this view?

As athletes take part in competitions, there is pressure for them to do well from their family, coaches and for some, their country. The pressure may be too overwhelming for them plus with the intense competition, it may lead to them demonstrating undesireble behavoiur during the competition. This is because they may feel very stressed and thus may not be able to control their emotions and temper in the midst of competiting. Serena Williams is famously known for her superb skills on the court. However, it is her bad sportsmanship displayed during competitions that lead to her appearing in news more often than her skills. Being the number one woman in professional tennis, she is often under much pressure to win every event she takes part in and thus, this leads to her emotional breakdown when she is losing to her opponent during a match. However, athletes representing their country in world class competitions know that they have an obligation to their country and thus will self govern their behaviour during competitions. They understand that as the world and their country watch them compete, they cannot afford to demonstrate unacceptable behaviour which may not only bring shame to them but to their country as well. They may then try to control their behaviour during competitions and thus, the reality of sports today is not unsporting.

Gracy. The reality of sports today is that it is unsporting. How far do you agree with this view?

Sports may be seen as increasingly unsporting when athletes, who are driven by desire to win, resort to dishonourable means such as taking physical enhancement drugs and bribery so that they will have an edge above the rest. They may choose to violate the rules of sports in order to obtain recognition and glory. Athletes commit bribery by making judges or referees of the game take their side such that they have a clear advantage compared to their opponent in winning. Similarly, taking physical enhancement drugs may allow them to have physical level that is higher than their usual standards. As an athlete will not be able to tell how well he will perform that day or if he will perform, taking such drugs to boost their performance will ensure that they perform well or exceedingly when competing. For example, at the expense of winning, Marion jones, a reknown athlete, took steroids at the sydney 2000 summer olympics. In conclusion, sports may be seen as increasingly unsporting as competitors no longer compete with their own genuine ability but with undesirable means by cheating.

Toby- To what extent should the Singapore government be responsible for taking care of the elderly?

The government should be responsible for taking care of the elderly in terms of ensuring that the societal infrastructure is friendly towards them in helping them to overcome their physical disabilities or difficulties. For example the construction of lifts, having handicap seats on buses and trains and giving the elderly priority in housing. This helps to improve the lives of the elderly by making it easy for them to move from one place to another. However, there must be a limit to the construction or the building of these elderly friendly construction such that it does not pose inconvenience to the rest of the community. This is because not only should the government consider the needs of the elderly, but the working adults and children too. For example, the construction of ramps instead of stairs will result in a longer time taken to get down a slope as people have to walk more to get down thus wasting time. In addition, the community must support the elderly in the use of the infrastructure. As some people will take advantage of the reserved seats in the MRT and sit on it even though an elderly is there. Thus the Singapore government should be responsible for taking care of the elderly by providing the relevant infrastructure as long as it does not pose inconvenience to the community and that the community supports such measures.

Wu Xin Fang
Qn: Can we put Singapore's future in the hands of our youth?

The youth today bear a characteristic of being adaptable to changes, they are flexible and open to new ideas, unafraid to take up challenges and make changes. Indeed, this is a calibre very much needed in the ruling body. With such quality, Singapore will then be able to progress and not remain stagnant. For instance, Singapore youths dare to voice out their opinions and are willing to accept their mistakes. They are not afraid to fail, for victory is only sweet when they tasted defeats. They are also fast in changes. Given the hectic school life of youths, they can multi-task and adapt to the different environment quickly. Often than not, companies are more willing to hire young workers than older ones because they are usually very motivated in their work and some, career-driven. They dare to explore for new ideas and innovations. Such outstanding characteristic makes youth stretch their unlimited capacity to churn out greater ideas and innovations, bringing Singapore to a greater height of achievements, hence we can put Singapore's future in th hands of our youth.

Faris Hakim: To what extent should the government be responsible for taking care of the elderly?

The government maybe expected to be responsible for the elderly financially. Most of the elderly are no longer in the workforce and even if they do have monthly Central Provident Fund (CPF) payouts, the amount may not be sufficient in meeting their daily needs as the cost of living in Singapore is high. This is where the government comes into the picture. The government should give out subsidies for the elderly if it does not compromise on their use of resources on other purposes. Although the government maybe expected to be responsible for the elderly financially, it is the elderly's immediate family members who should bear the responsibility. The government can only do so much whereas the relatives can provide for more untangible needs such as their emotional needs and filial piety.Although the government is expected to provide for the elderly financially, the onus is on their relatives to play a more pertinent role.

Web Privacy: In Praise of Oversharing

Read the argument for sharing information online