Paul Hamm's Once in a Lifetime Opportunity

Ethics Resource Center 2004
Stephen D. Potts

Paul Hamm has been awarded the gold medal for best overall male gymnast in the 2004 Olympics.  He has been successful because of his talent, sacrifice, and dedication.  He is a deserving winner.  But, through no fault of his own, there is tarnish on his medal. The judges made a mistake which, if corrected, would result in his chief opponent, Yang Tae-young, having the highest score in the competition.  Yang Tae-young also is a deserving winner.  

How should this dilemma be resolved?

Many argue that the result should stand, saying that the rules are the rules and if the rules are slavishly followed, Paul Hamm is the winner.  They assert that judging errors occur in sports and over time honest mistakes by officials even out. Others, myself included, believe that the rules of a game exist to assure a level playing field for the competitors.  We acknowledge that over a long period of time honest officiating mistakes will even out.  But we also believe that, when a grievous mistake is made in the last round of an Olympic event held once every four years, it truly would require a miracle for evening out to occur--ever.  Making a wise decision under these circumstances requires recognition of the fact that rules are not our masters. Our sense of justice demands that we know when to make an exception to the rule.

Through a twist of fate, Paul Hamm has an opportunity that few people ever will.  If Hamm gives his worthy opponent the gold medal, the world will be electrified and our sturdy ally South Korea most of all. 

Paul Hamm, you have the chance to create a legacy of inspiring sportsmanship for all time.  It would be a story we would remember and tell.  This moment can never be relived.  The spotlight is on you and the prize is far greater than a laurel wreath.  You will never again have a chance like this.  This is your moment.  Why settle for mere gold when you can achieve greatness?  Be more than a champion. Be a hero.

Stephen D. Potts [1] is Chairman of the Ethics Resource Center Board of Directors and has served as Chairman of the ERC Fellows Program.  Mr. Potts is also Chairman of the US Tennis Association's Olympic Committee.  Prior to his work with the ERC, Mr. Potts was Director, United States Office of Government Ethics, having been appointed by both President Bush and President Clinton.  Mr. Potts has served on the board of a number of companies and non-profits, including the US Olympic Committee and the US Tennis Association and is a past president of the Washington Tennis and Education Foundation. 

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View related video from the Leaders on Ethics series, where Mr. Potts discusses a compelling personal experience with sportsmanship.[2]

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[1] Please note: The opinions expressed above are those of Mr. Potts alone, and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization he has been involved with in the past or is working with presently.

[2]"Leaders On Ethics” is a cutting-edge business ethics filming project including interviews with CEOs and other corporate and organization executives, inviting them to discuss ethics and leadership in the workplace. The goals of this project include building shareholders' and public trust and offering opportunities to showcase opinion leaders on one of the most important issues facing business today. We also view this as a way to share valuable ethical lessons in a manner that will be retained, safeguarded, and utilized by future business generations.

PLI, PLI-Corpedia, and ERC will make these interviews publicly available as learning tools to others in the corporate and educational communities. As part of "Leaders On Ethics,” ERC will also develop curriculum guides and donate them to business school and law school professors for their use in discussing ethics and leadership with their students. Portions of the interviews will also be included in educational courseware and an online Ethics & Compliance Coalition System (ECCO), a members-only resource center which will be hosted by PLI-Corpedia and developed in conjunction with PLI and ERC.