The Spirit of Sportsmanship

 

Finally, curtains are down at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. There were many interesting things about this event: It was the one that was titled 2020 but happened in 2021; it was the one in which there were absolutely no spectators to cheer; the one in which the players had to lock themselves in a bio-bubble and forbidden even to open their room doors and windows; the one when there was a lurking fear of being tested positive for Corona Virus during the routine tests; the one in which players had no family or friends to lend any emotional support; the first global event that happened after the whole world went into a lock-down. But what struck me the most about the game was this was the one in which the spirit of humanity and sportsmanship shone brightly.

Why do I think so? Well, for example, games are generally considered competitive and a global sports event as Olympics reeks of rivalry, grit and the fight to win. None of this was missing this year yet I thought that there was more humaneness in the Tokyo games. I am not sure if it was the pandemic impact that led us to see innumerable deaths and suffer many personal losses. But it was heart-warming to witness the spirit of humanity come through in the gestures of many players.

Take, for example, the men’s high jump event. When Italy's Gianmarco Tamberi and Qatar's Mutaz Essa Barshim were locked in a tie even after three attempts in the finals, they were given a tie-breaking chance. But the Italian was unable to compete following a serious ankle injury in his last attempt. Just when he was down and out thinking of how he lost his Olympic golden chance, Barshim, who had an easy chance to win, chose to share the gold medal with his Italian mate. The Italian was shocked beyond belief and was in tears while hugging his Qatar mate. It was a scene of sheer respect, love and sportsmanship and everyone was touched by Barshim’s magnanimous humanitarian gesture.

Similarly, in the pole vault game, when 21-year-old Swedish player Armand Duplantis decided to create a new world record of 6.19 m height, everyone including the small crowd of volunteers, officials, journalists and fellow athletes were hanging on his every move. Just when he bailed out of the second attempt, so many people cheered the 21-year-old, including a player in the eighth place consoling the dejected Swede with a hug and encouraging him to do his final attempt. Many people were seen praying when Duplantis attempted his final vault and even as a viewer sitting miles away, I was able to feel the sincere wishes that filled the air for his success. Though he did not succeed in his attempt, it felt surreal and emotional to watch countless people of different races and countries praying for a player with whom they had no personal link. That is the spirit of sports!

When American gymnast Simon Biles withdrew from the individual all-around, vault, floor and bar events citing mental health issues, she received huge support from not just her fraternity but also the entire global sports community. There were so many get well messages and sincere wishes for the gymnast from varied people that helped her to stage a comeback in the balancing beam event and the all-around artistic team event winning bronze and silver medals.

This reminds of me another great example of sportsmanship exhibited by Spanish cross-country runner Ivan Fernandez Anaya at a race in Burlada, Spain, in 2012. When his Kenyan counterpart, Abel Muttai mistakenly pulled up about 10 m before the finish line, thinking he had completed the race, Ivan did not hesitate even for a moment to push the Kenyan till the finish line so that he could complete the race. Instead of exploiting Mutai’s mistake to speed past and win, Ivan displayed true sportsmanship and let his mate take the gold medal. When queried about his action by the reporters, all he had to say was, “What would have been the honour of the medal and what would have been the merit of the victory?” A simple value put so beautifully!

I hear many parents coaching their children to be first in class or any competition by hook or crook. It is truly appalling to note parents, under the pretext of preparing their child for competition, teach dishonesty as a means to win. What they fail to highlight are such sportsmanship and humanitarian values. A sport is not about pipping others but it is more about inspiring others and being inspired to play till the finish.

That reminds me of a personal incident about my son during his UKG years. During a sports event, even though he was ahead of others, midway through he paused and was cheering his classmates to run faster. Though he finally ended up winning third in the competition, he never for once felt bad about not winning the first prize. I feel that was his and more importantly, my moment of Olympic gold. Truly, success depends less on physical strength and more on mental and moral strengths.