While no evidence exists that argues there is a significant link between contracting HIV/AIDS and sports participation with those infected with the virus, great fear exists within the college sports world with regard to athletes infected with HIV/AIDS. This research explores the literature to reveal there is only an infinitesimal risk associated with contracting HIV/AIDS through participation in sports.
The first section of this report produces evidence showing the small risk of contracting HIV/AIDS from contact sports. The second section demonstrates that, despite evidence to the contrary, many individuals, including college athletes themselves, support a ban on athletes who are infected with HIV/AIDS from participating in sports. This section also details the subtle forms of discrimination that exist against HIV/AIDS infected athletes. The third section of research compares discrimination and AIDS legislation that is pertinent to college athletes and HIV/AIDS discrimination. The analysis calls for less vague legislation on this issue in order to diminish the potential for discrimination against HIV/AIDS infected athletes.
The conclusion makes some recommendations for the future for dealing with the issue of HIV/AIDS infected athletes and discrimination. Also included are steps for dealing with HIV/AIDS infected athletes for those who are not infected.
Sports participation & HIV/AIDS risk
While many internationally known athletes have contracted and/or succumbed to HIV/AIDS (Magic Johnson, Arthur Ashe, and Greg Louganis among them), the literature reveals that the risk of contracting the human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) which causes AIDS through sports participation is minimal at best, “Although there is a theoretical risk of HIV transmission from an HIV-infected player to an uninfected player during athletic practice or competition, most experts agree that the risk of sport-related HIV transmission is infinites...