Alcohol and Sport, some curiosities
alcohol and sports
Alcohol and sporting events are two elements often associated with each other, both in popular culture and in real life. In many countries, alcohol is a traditional part of celebrating sporting events, whether it's a soccer match with friends or a professional event such as the Olympics.
Here are some anecdotes and curiosities that I have found around the web, concerning alcohol and sport, which in the end do not seem so distant
- During the 1972 Olympics, an ice hockey player from Sweden showed up drunk for the game against the Soviet Union. Despite this, he managed to score one goal and Sweden won the match.
- In 1999, during a football match between England and Scotland, a Scottish fan threw a bottle of vodka onto the pitch, hitting the referee. The referee decided to continue the match and England won 1-0.
- In 2012, a Boston Red Sox baseball player was caught drinking beer and eating food in a hotel pool during a game. Despite this, the player went on the field and scored a hat trick, leading the Red Sox to a victory.
- In 2017, a Cleveland Browns football player was suspended for one game after being arrested for drunk driving. The player later claimed that he had only had one beer before the arrest.
- In 2018, a Green Bay Packers fan was arrested for throwing a beer can onto the field during a game against the Minnesota Vikings. The fan later claimed that he had thrown the can because it was "too hot to drink".
The Bengals edge the Ravens 24-17, Hubbard the hero of the game
These anecdotes demonstrate how alcohol can be a fun and unconventional element at sporting events, but also how it can cause problems if not consumed responsibly.
But alcohol isn't just an element of celebration, it can also be a problem for athletes. Alcohol abuse can cause health problems such as liver disease and coordination problems, which can negatively affect sports performance. Furthermore, alcohol can also be a cause of accidents and violence in sporting events.
Despite these problems, many sporting events continue to be associated with alcohol use. For example, traditional sponsored beer is a common feature in soccer stadiums in Europe and the United States. Additionally, alcohol is often sold and consumed in stadiums during football, soccer, and baseball games.
Some sporting events, however, are trying to change this culture. For example, some football stadiums in England have taken steps to reduce the sale and consumption of alcohol during matches, such as limiting the amount of alcohol each person can buy or banning the sale of alcohol before certain times.
Ultimately, alcohol and sporting events are often closely linked, but there are also concerns about the negative effects of alcohol on athlete performance and the safety of sporting events. Some events are trying to change this culture, but there is still a lot to be done to promote greater awareness of the risks associated with alcohol and to encourage responsible consumption.