Sport is a popular passion, and an astoundingly lucrative business. But unfortunately, in the quest to create an ever more compelling product, the sports industry is blind to the manner in which that product is created. Doping, playing through injury, and eating disorders are widespread problems in both professional and college athletics, and speak volumes as to the lengths to which athletes will go to succeed; while dirty play, hazing, and cheating are common even at the lowest levels. Most troubling of all, however, are the societal problems perpetuated by the sports industry, which include racism, sexism, class distinction, and homophobia. The authors explain how these problems function and persist in sport, and how we can work to ensure that sport realises its potential as a positive and rewarding activity. The book confronts the many problems facing top-level athletics today and their portrayal in the media, and then goes on to look at how the values and models expressed are adopted by coaches, parents, and eventually the athletes themselves, at all ages. It also provides recommendations for improving the sports environment. The numerous examples (both historical and current) make this work comprehensive and up-to-date.