Keeping Score

Sportswoman and philanthropist Annabelle Bond OBE goes head-to-head with star jockey Zac Purton in this month’s great debate

Should an athlete’s behaviour off the field influence our opinion of their sporting achievements? ANNABELLE BOND YES “World-class, best-in-sport athletes are often widely known and admired for their on-field accomplishments. They are often revered by younger generations as role models. Sponsors pay vast sums to have these people represent their brands and fill stadiums. To have an opinion solely on their on-field behaviour, while ignoring their off-field behaviour, seems unrealistic to me. One category of athlete where off-field behaviour should absolutely colour opinion is that of those who cheat in the pursuit of their sport. Examples include Lance Armstrong for doping; Barry Bonds for steroid use; and any Olympian taking banned substances. Then there are those top athletes that have killed people, like former professional athlete Oscar Pistorius and the…

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Tatler Hong Kong (Digital) - 1 Issue, July 2024

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