Do the British not like winning?

Now we have something / quite-a-lot to discuss and celebrate.
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Cunobelin
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Joined: 6 Feb 2007, 7:22pm

Re: Do the British not like winning?

Post by Cunobelin »

On the other hand, it may simply be the novelty of winning.... we are so used to the Wendyballers grasping defeat from the jaws of victory
Grandad
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Re: Do the British not like winning?

Post by Grandad »

This has happened before, when a certain previous TdF winner (Wiggins)was sidelined halfway through by a more "junior" rider (... ironically Froome)

History repeated itself
drossall
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Re: Do the British not like winning?

Post by drossall »

I think I was brought up to believe that the game, and sportsmanship, were as important as winning. I could afford to think that kind of thing, because there was never a serious chance of my winning an egg and spoon race, let alone anything else. I know that I played squash (at a very low level), and always preferred losing a close game over an easier win, because the challenge was greater. My experience was that squash was very relaxing, in that it demanded total concentration, but afterwards the outcome wasn't that important, so you'd spent 45 minutes thinking about nothing in particular of significance. Losing a close game was therefore more involving that winning relatively easily. (To state the obvious, winning a close game is even better!)

I've never really felt that cricket was the same since the abandonment of the idea that a batsman would walk as a matter of honour, before the umpire gave a decision, if he knew that he had touched a ball caught behind. Of course, it wasn't ever all like that; the body-line bowling tour was many decades before, and I think sledging was has gone on for decades too? I'm not really a cricket buff.

So maybe there is something a little un-British about Sky's focus on winning. But we're all enjoying it :D
1982john
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Re: Do the British not like winning?

Post by 1982john »

It's not beyond the wildest of imaginations that a Yates will win La Vuelta making it three dif Brits in the grand tours.

In the 90s and early 00s there was a feeling of taking part and sportsmanship was just as important - mainly cos we were utter dros at every sport. Then something changed and Britain found ways of winning again. Remember the 2005 Ashes & the Rugby WC b4 that? That was big rediscovery of celebrating winning. Since then almost every sport we've had some success in -except football unless you coulnt european cup.
Tangled Metal
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Re: Do the British not like winning?

Post by Tangled Metal »

That could be government spending on elite sport based on success. AFAIK the sports Council was shaken up and they changed the way things got funded. Then the lead in to 2012. British Cycling probably the big success but swimming probably started the approach first. Rowing too modernised.

I think I first became aware of the change when a guy who had been a successful bmx racer changed sports and represented Britain as a track sprinter. All because British cycling tested him and his power output indicated physical capability as a lead out team sprinter. A bit of expert coaching and not long after he won an Olympic medal. Was he Jamie Staff or something like that?

I think elite sport want to win but what about the British, viewing public? With football it's clear they want England to win, rugby too. When you look at minority sports I don't think it's as clear whether Britain wants to win or not.
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