Incidents where a sports personalities right was violated
1. Colin Kaepernick: In 2016, Colin Kaepernick, a former NFL quarterback, kneeled during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial injustice. This resulted in him facing criticism and ultimately being blacklisted by the NFL, which violated his right to free speech.
2. Maria Sharapova: In 2016, Maria Sharapova, a Russian tennis player, was suspended for 15 months by the International Tennis Federation for testing positive for a banned substance. While Sharapova admitted to taking the drug, she claimed she was not aware it had been prohibited. This violated her reputation and right to due process.
3. Hope Solo: In 2015, Hope Solo, a goalkeeper for the US women's soccer team, was suspended for 30 days for her behavior following the team's loss to Sweden in the Olympic quarterfinals. Solo criticized the team's opponent and called them "cowards". This resulted in the violation of her right to free speech.
4. Dez Bryant: In 2015, Dez Bryant, a wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys, was fined $70,000 by the NFL for violating the league's personal conduct policy. The incident in question was a domestic violence allegation made against him, which he denied. However, the league handed down the fine without providing any evidence or due process, which violated Bryant's right to a fair trial.
5. Michael Phelps: In 2009, Michael Phelps, a swimmer and Olympic gold medalist, faced criticism and lost sponsorship deals after a photograph of him smoking marijuana was leaked to the media. This violated his right to privacy and also led to legal consequences, as possession of marijuana was illegal at the time in the state where the photo was taken.
There have been several incidents where the rights of sports personalities have been violated. Here are a few notable examples:
1. Colin Kaepernick: In 2016, NFL player Colin Kaepernick made headlines by peacefully protesting racial injustice and police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem. Despite his right to exercise freedom of speech and expression, Kaepernick faced significant backlash from the public, including direct threats and criticism from politicians and fans. Some argue that his right to peacefully protest was violated by those who tried to silence his message.
2. Maria Sharapova: In 2016, professional tennis player Maria Sharapova was suspended from the sport for 15 months after testing positive for a banned substance. Sharapova argued that she had been taking the substance for medical purposes, and claimed she was not aware it had been added to the banned list. Some critics argue that her right to fair treatment was violated because the ban imposed on her was disproportionately severe.
3. Oscar Pistorius: In 2014, South African Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius was accused of murdering his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. Throughout the trial, Pistorius claimed that he had mistaken her for an intruder and acted in self-defense. While the trial highlighted a tragic incident, some argue that Pistorius's right to a fair trial was violated due to alleged mishandling of evidence and media influence.
4. Lance Armstrong: Former professional cyclist Lance Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and banned from professional cycling for life in 2012 after being found guilty of using performance-enhancing drugs. Armstrong vehemently denied the accusations for years, but eventually admitted to doping. Critics argue that his right to fair competition was violated by his use of banned substances, which gave him an unfair advantage over other athletes.
It is important to note that the determination of rights violation can be subjective and may vary depending on perspectives and legal systems.