Free of gilt, sports get a breath of fresh air

The under-the-table deals and backstage arrangements for the selection of national teams have many times given sports a bad name, raising questions on the consequences of China's rigid sport system. Many sports scandals in recent years, especially those related to soccer organizations and the men's soccer team, have mounted pressure on the top sports administration to reform its bureaucratic management.

Because of the launch of the top disciplinary watchdog's high-profile investigation against the administration officials in November, many people now expect all the corrupt elements to be banished from China's sports system, and arrangements like seeking approval for and bidding to stage sports events to be abolished. People also expect to see the end of under-the-table deals to select athletes and referees for national sports events.

Many blame the rampant corruption in China's sports organizations on the gold medal worship and the distorted outlook on performance. Of course, the best athlete deserves to get the gold medal. But that does not mean the very essence of taking part in sports events is to win it, because such a distorted notion about sports could compel local sports administrations to employ unfair means to enable their athletes to win the top medal.

The gold medal is not the be all and end all of sports. The Olympic motto may be "faster, higher, stronger", but more than winning medals the urge and spirit to take part in sports events are important.

The author is a senior writer with China Daily.