Throughout the Olympics, there are countless sports that demonstrate the important features of sportsmanship within a team. A major sport/event that commonly depicts these examples is running. Running is most often known as one of the most or as the most iconic and recognized cross-cultural/racial sports. Sportsmanship mainly refers to virtues such as ethics, control, encouragement, positive behavior, and concentration. Sportsmanship is a significant feature as it builds on teamwork, as well as building resilience within one another and yourself (making stronger nature). The main goal of the Olympics is to support and create better relationships between different communities and nations (creating many more social/uplifting societies worldwide). The running sport within the Olympics presents endless acts of as well as bringing many countries/communities together to compete, giving each society a chance to show acts of kindness or sportsmanship.
Sportsmanship is an extremely critical factor not just in running but in every single sport, as it teaches one the need for respect, honor, kindness, teamwork, and inclusion to be able to achieve a goal. This means that it lays the foundations for building a strong character through embedding the qualities of a true athlete. Sportsmanship in running is predominant, through giving respect to your competition, even though it may be extremely competitive (creating motivation for runners). When a team or an individual is unethical (cheating or breaking rules) it gives the opposition a major disadvantage and causes disrespect between one another. Good sportsmanship is praised. Successful sportsmanship includes being able to win without esteem, respecting the opposition (no matter what outcome), and being able to lose gracefully. As Michael Jordan said, “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships”. Michael Jeffrey Jordan is known for being the world’s greatest all-time basketball player. This quote has a deep-down meaning. It phenomenally explains how sportsmanship always wins the best prize, respect, and support of an opposition team/individual. And as Gary Gygax observed, “Games give you a chance to excel, and if you're playing in good company you don't even mind if you lose because you had the enjoyment of the company during the course of the game”.
Save your time!
We can take care of your essay
- Proper editing and formatting
- Free revision, title page, and bibliography
- Flexible prices and money-back guarantee
Place an order
A historical example of sportsmanship is when Derek Redmond was set to win the 400m solo race with ease. This was until his hamstring injuries found him and led to a breakdown. This was a huge letdown. All his work was wasted. That was until Redmond’s dad stood by his side and supported him to get through the entire race, allowing him to complete it after all the hard work he had done. This example shows that the values of sportsmanship can lead to winning great things that aren’t always a medal, it can win love, respect, excellence, and/or consolidation.
Usain Bolt, also known as the world’s fastest man, is a perfect example of a professional athlete that displays sportsmanship throughout his career. The Jamaican three-time gold medalist shows many important aspects of sportsmanship and teamwork. A great example of this is when after the 200-meter race at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, African-American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos from track-and-field stars into the center of a roiling controversy over their raised-fist salute, a symbol of black power and the human rights movement at large. This act of sportsmanship shows respect to the darker people, as they are commonly not treated well or the same compared to the white race. Multiple white athletes such as Joe Biden and Jack Johnson showed their support as they chose to salute, support, and applaud them due to their actions. This example identifies that running displays respect/support and excellence within two significant moments that have been marked in history.
Therefore, it is clear that the Olympic sport, running, displays respect, excellence, support, and other major features of sportsmanship, as well as gaining respect from the opposition and crafting strong friendships/relationships along the way.