Sportsmanship in Harry Potter

[a_svirn]

No: HPFGUIDX 151707

> Magpie:
 
> Throughout the tournament everybody's cheating like it's going out 
of style 
> (that is, mostly the adults are bringing the cheat to the players; 
none of 
> them are overtly trying to cheat that we can see). 

a_svirn:
That's why I didn't particularly like GoF except for the brilliant 
cliff-hanger in the end. I felt baffled about the whole tournament 
business, and indeed still do. Starting with these *unbreakable 
magical contracts* (surely it wasn't necessary? Except for Rowling 
to use it as a plot device) every detail is designed in a way that 
it is impossible *not* to cheat. Out of five referees three are 
British, so there is a definite pro-British bias. Also each 
headmaster predictably supports his or her champion. Was it really 
so difficult to assemble a less partial jury? Hardly more difficult 
than bring dragons along. Another thing is that some (if not all) 
members of Hogwarts faculty seemed to know every detail about the 
tasks whereas their rivals were in the dark all the way. And again 
there were only one adult per school, whereas the British had the 
whole faculty to support them. Now, how fair is that? 

It was also inconceivable that champions wouldn't avail themselves 
on the advice of their friends and school-mates with that egg. 
Perhaps this sort of teamwork was exactly what was required, but 
then again, Hogwarts champions had an undeniable advantage – a much 
bigger "team". 

And I agree that there is nothing sportsmanlike about awarding 
points for "moral fiber". In fact, it's downright ridiculous.