Somepeoplearguethatathletes,whileplayinggames,shouldadheretotheprinciple"Friendshipfirst,competitionsecond,"andthatisthetruesportsmanship.
Personally,Idisagreewiththispointofview.Thereisnodenyingthatcompetitorsshouldbefriendlywitheachother.However,theprimaryconcernofeveryplayer,afterhardtrainingforayearortwo,istowinthegame.His/Hersolemotivation,eitherduringthetrainingorintherace,ispromptedbyaloominghopeandaprospectivechampionship.Beitachessgameoracompetitionofweight-liftingoraraceofahundred-metredash,thecaseisalwaystrue.Ifhe/shewinsthegame,highrewards,flowersandhonourwillpileuponhim/her.Ifhe/shelosesonceortwice,he/shewillbecomelesscourageousforthethirdtime.However,severallossesmaybeathim/herdown,andhis/hernextbattle,ifhe/sheisdaringtofight,willprobablybeafiasco.
So,inmymind,thefunorhappinessofplayingagameliesintheathlete'sultimateachievementofthegoal.WeallknowNapoleon'sfamoussayingthatasoldierwhodoesnothavetheambitiontobecomeamarshalisnotarealsoldier.Iagreethatanunambitiousathleteisnotarealathlete.