SPORTSMANSHIP VS. GAMESMANSHIP

As I, too, have gotten drawn into the adrenaline rush of the Olympics, I began to hear the term “gamesmanship” tossed around in regard to the Chinese gymnasts. It brings to mind a children’s class I developed on sportsmanship vs. gamesmanship. Even though many of my students play various sports, they have never been introduced to the word “gamesmanship.”

The definition of sportsmanship is recognizing and observing the rules of fair play, being respectful and gracious even when losing. Gamesmanship is playing or winning by questionable means, not necessarily breaking the rules. This is placing performance over character. The Encarta World Class Dictionary also defines gamesmanship as “the use of tactics or stratagems to gain an advantage in business, politics, or life.” What our children learn today will definitely be applied to their future actions in life and career.

In recent years we have learned about some of our favored athletes using performance enhancing drugs to gain an unfair advantage over their competitors and, unfortunately, tarnished their achievements, reputations, and careers. Our children are watching, listening, and learning and to think otherwise is foolishness.

There is a prestige attached to the Olympics and people from around the world wait for even a glimpse of their countries athletes competing even if they have never tasted a medal victory. Their victory is just the privilege to participate. The United States is center stage with some of the worlds most accomplished athletes with the opportunity whether win or lose to demonstrate an example of sportsmanship. Going back to the 2004 Olympics, I hope to witness again a similar act of humbleness such as that of Michael Phelps when he gave up his spot to Ian Crocker in the final men’s 4X100 freestyle relay. Unfortunately, Team USA took the bronze, but the act took the gold.

We need to consistently emphasize to our children the legacy of character lives far past the performance and the true victory is to choose integrity and truth no matter what the score. For more information on this subject, I recommend the Institute for International Sport and you can visit their website at www.internationalsport.com.