IELTS Writing Topics | Sport and Leisure

Arguments against Professional / Competitive Sport

Sport has become a business.

Professional sport encourages people to compete for money.

Many sports stars are only concerned about money and fame.

Some athletes take drugs in order to win at any cost.

Competitors are often selfish and rude.

They are not good role models for children.

All sports should be amateur.

Sports should be leisure activities rather than jobs.

People should do sporting activities for enjoyment and health reasons.

Taking part is more important than winning.

Arguments for Professional Sport

Professional sports are the same as any other business.

Many people are employed in the sports industry.

People should be able to use their talents to earn a salary.

Sports stars entertain millions of people.

Money is necessary to improve facilities and train athletes.

The level of professional sport is much higher than that of amateur sport.

Arguments for Competitive Sport

Competition is a natural instinct in humans.

In daily life we compete to get jobs or the highest grades.

Sports are a safe form of competition.

Competition is healthy because it pushes us to give our best.

Competitors and fans can release energy and aggression.

Supporters of teams feel a sense of belonging to a community.

Opinions about professional sport salaries are too high

Sports professionals earn too much money.
They do not provide a vital service.
Football players, for example, earn enormous salaries by simply kicking a ball.
We could all live happily without professional football.
Life would be difficult without doctors, engineers and other vital professionals.
Society does not seem to value these professions as highly as professional sport.
Sports salaries should be compatible with the wages most people earn.

It is fair that the best professionals earn a lot of money.
Sport is a multi-million-pound industry.
There is a large audience of sports fans.
Sports on television attract many viewers.
Sports stars have dedicated hours of practice to developing their fitness and skills.
Only the most talented among them will reach the top.
A sports career may only last 10 years.
Sports fans are willing to pay to support their teams.

Some people think that sport and politics should remain separate.
Governments are involved in the hosting of sporting events such as the Olympics.
These events attract investment and create jobs.
The Olympic Games are an advertisement for the host nation.
They attract huge numbers of visitors and sports fans.
Wealthy countries tend to hold these events.
Developing countries should be given the chance to become hosts.