We saw President Biden at the news conference, surrounded by the usual cast of smiling politicians. Brittney Griner has been freed, no small task given the war in Ukraine and the ice-cold relationship between Biden and Putin.
We are happy for Griner and her wife, sad for journalist Paul Whelan who was left behind, and angry that a notorious Russian arms dealer, a man indirectly responsible for many deaths was freed to ply his trade once again. In the larger scheme of things, in the greater human drama, it is difficult to pick winners and losers. In the Washington, D.C. news conferences everyone said the right things, but no one wants to say what needed to be said.
Why was it important to be more truthful? Because after the cheering and back-slapping (possibly a book and movie deal) are done, this scenario will likely happen again. No one can stop the wheel of choices and consequences.
Remember Ryan Lochte?
Olympic athlete Ryan Lochte, a once arrogant darling of the swim team caused an international scandal at the Olympic games at the Rio Olympics in 2016. He got loaded with teammates and tore up a bathroom, lied to authorities about being assaulted and even succeeded in having another member of the team plus family cover on his behalf.
Lochte created an international incident with his act; he snuck out of the country before charges and went onto a reality television show. It all boomeranged. He was fined, disgraced, lost reputation and sponsorships and even lost the dance competition.
Both Lochte and Griner played it loose with ethical behavior. Brittney decided to bring cannabis products into Russia and Lochte pretended he could outsmart the Brazilian police. Griner, we believe, was naïve and clueless, Lochte was a privileged fool. In both situations, it cost them.
In this country, athletes are far too often deified. Whether the WNBA or Olympics, there is often an exchange of humility and reason for flagrant disregard and moral superiority. It is not the fault of the athletes per se, but a system that doesn’t whisper in their ears how incredibly lucky and blessed they are.
Sports Ethics blames this “exchange” on a lack of ethics training and a lack of expectations/personal accountability. When the hammer comes down (sometimes the hammer and sickle), we are shocked — and we shouldn’t be. Griner wasn’t traveling to Denver (where ‘pot’ is legal), but to a Communist country where it isn’t.
Respect the culture
Brittney Griner brought marihuana products into a country where such is an illegal act. Ryan Lochte got loaded and tore up a business. In both cases they disregarded ethical behavior. In both cases, the system failed them. They needed ethical training, of making good choices and consequences, and turned their backs on both.
Athletes must be trained, “off the field” in what constitutes ethical behavior, and to respect the cultural expectations of other nations. I am happy for Griner, as I said, and I’m all for second chances, but this didn’t have to happen.
Chuck Gallagher, Sports Ethics (828) 244-1400 Chuck@chuckgallagher.com
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