S e c o n d e d I t I o n 1 Reading for the Real World 1

Vocabulary Preview
 
Match each word or phrase with the correct definition.
1. ingenious 
a. clever
2. loophole 
b. not earned; not merited
3. opponent 
c. a rival; an enemy
4. single-mindedly 
d. with all one’s attention or thought
5. sluggish 
e. slow; moving like a slug
6. undeserved 
f. a missing part of a rule allowing people to avoid the rule
Cheating in Sports
 
 
Pre-Reading Questions
Think about the following questions.
1. How do you think professional athletes cheat?
2. Which sports are the most violent?
3. Who is usually to blame for cheating, players or coaches?
S p o r t s & F i t n e s s 1
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Cheating in Sports
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S 
ports are about competition. The goal of every athlete, or every team, is 
to win. Unfortunately, two factors have been pushing American sports 
in an unhealthy direction. One of these factors is the obsession with 
winning, no matter what the cost. The other factor is money. These two factors 
put extreme pressure on both players and coaches to focus single-mindedly on 
winning. This has resulted in a problem that is spreading and becoming more 
serious. That problem is cheating.
Of course, there are rules in all sports to penalize cheating. So coaches and 
players have had to come up with ingenious ways to get around the rules. 
Getting a competitive edge, even unfairly, is seen as a “strategy” rather than 
cheating. Illegal acts are now even being accepted as part of the game. Coaches 

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