George Plimpton's essay, "Gods," from The Gospel According to ESPN: The Saints, Saviors, & Sinners of Sports, 2003.
What was the Greek attitude about winning?
Not very different from Vince Lombardi's -- that it is the "only thing." Pindar, the great lyric poet of the fifth century, wrote a number of odes that were often sung by choirs of boys when a hero came home to his native town (very much the sort of parade and honors that greeted Sarah Hughes on her return to Great Neck after her gold medal in the 2002 Olympics).
The highest prize in ancient Olympics was the wreath of wild olive -- far more prized by athletes than an ox, or a bowl, or a tripod, or a cup, or even a woman skilled in some handicraft. On the other hand, another matter for losers. The winners never shook hands with the losers. The chivalry we are supposed to display toward the loser is not something that the Greeks understood. Defeat was felt to be a disgrace. In fact, the Spartans forbade their citizens to take part in athletic events for fear they might lose. Those who did compete and lost got little sympathy from their fellows. No "tough luck," no sympathetic touch on the shoulder. The hometowns were outraged to hear the news of a favorite son's defeat, and often a statue, previously put up to honor him, was torn down, so that what he'd see when he got home was just a pedestal. "By back ways they slink away sore smitten by misfortune. No sweet smile greets their return."
Tags: George Plimpton, Olympics, Plimpton on Sports
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