新概念15课课文

新概念15课课文

Lesson 15: The Sporting Spirit

There seems to be a great misunderstanding on the part

of the public with regard to the sporting spirit. Some people define it as a fierce desire to win which inspires athletes to compete for personal glory. These people forget, however, that a true sportsman will not only win but will win fairly. He will not take an unfair advantage of his opponent but will compete on equal terms. In the Olympic Games, for example, where the motto is ‘not to win but to take part’, athletes are not expected to sacrifice the virtues of sportsmanship for the sake of winning.

The sporting spirit basically means respect for the opponent. To play well and to win honorably is the spirit

of the game. A player should not aim to hurt his opponent

or to destroy the latter’s chances of winning by unfair means. Both should compete fairly so that the better man wins. Any deliberate attempt to inflict injury is not only against the rules but is contrary to the spirit of the game.

Another element of the sporting spirit is tolerance. A true sportsman will always be tolerant of others, whether they win or lose. He will not lose his temper or become abusive when his opponent does better than he does. He will

accept defeat gracefully and will not gloat over victory. The true sportsman plays for the sake of the game itself. For him, sport is not a battle but a means of self-expression.

Winning and losing are both part of the game. A true sportsman realizes that every defeat is a challenge. He tries to learn from his defeats and better himself. Thus, the sporting spirit is essentially a spirit of humility. It recognizes that defeat is not necessarily a sign of weakness but an opportunity for progress.

In the final analysis, it can be said that the sporting spirit is a way of life. It embodies the belief that the game must be played fairly and that the opponent must be respected. It demands self-control, tolerance, and generosity. A true sportsman is not only a winner but a gentleman as well.