Sportsmanship in todays sporting world is hard to come by.
Footballers barracking referrees when decisions don’t go their way, fighting between two teams out on the pitch (not just in football), etc, there’s a blame culture in sports, which is all to often excused by “it’s the pressure in today’s sport!”
Money is a major factor and occurring all to often, is the view that participants in sport will do anything to get a slight edge over their opponent.
As in everyday life, those who show compassion and a sense of balance towards people, are seen as weaker in some way, than those who must win at all costs!
Bobby Robson was a fine example of how a person can succeed without exploiting others and shows clearly that winning at anything, is down to skill and good judgement.
Two sporting incidents highlight the differences perfectly:
Ashes third test match: As the first days play was delayed by rain until late afternoon, Ricky Ponting (Australian captain) had submitted his team sheet for the test match. Unbeknown to him as he tossed a coin to decide who was to bat first, Brad Haddin, their wicket keeper and middle order batsman, had sustained a fractured finger in the warm up.
As are the rules, Ponting had to ask for permission from the England captain Andrew Strauss, to bring in a last minute replacement.
Andrew Strauss was within his rights to take advantage of this misfortune and force Australia to play Haddin, with his injury!
Strauss displayed good sportsmanship and allowed Ponting to bring in Graham Manou as a last minute replacement, putting the Australian side back to full strength.
It had no real bearing on the rain affected match, but with all the “pressure” on teams to do well in todays sporting world, all the sledging in cricket, this shone out for me like a beacon.
Good sport Andrew Strauss, had he forced Australia to play an injured player and won, it would have been a hollow victory against a weakened side.
English Cricket is all the more stronger for it, a fine example to set the young people who are fans and players of the game.
Michael Schumacher’s return to formula 1: Felipe Massa’s life threatening injury has opened the door for Schumacher to return to formula 1 and race in his place as he continues to recover.
Under formula 1 rules, only special dispensation can allow a driver to test drive a race car during the season.
Ferrari wrote to all the teams taking part in this year’s championship to ask for permission for Schumacher to have a days testing prior to the European grand prix.
Seven teams gave their permission, three teams refused permission!
Williams, Toro Rosso and Red Bull all turned down the request, disgraceful!
What happens when, god forbid, Schmacher drives the car, untested, at the next grand prix and he has a bad accident?
Would one days testing really make that much difference? Are they really that worried?
There is an opportunity here to display good sportsmanship and set an example for those following the sport and the youngsters around the world, that there is more to life than taking advantage of others misfortune, by refusing a days testing, these three teams have displayed complete arrogance towards the “sport” they take part in.
As in real life, progressing at anything should not be by standing on others, what goes around – comes around, good sportsmanship is a lesson everyone in todays world, would be well advised to learn!
