Winning, Losing and the Code

The founder of the modern Olympic games, Pierre de Coubertin, said, “The important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win, but to take part; the important thing in Life is not triumph, but the struggle; the essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.”  Do you agree with this?  The Code says “I will give my best effort in practice and in competition.”  Giving our best efforts does not mean that we will win, but it does mean that we can have the self-satisfaction of knowing we tried our hardest.  It is important to keep the perspective that we win just by being a part of a team; we win by getting to compete; we win by gaining the friendship of our teammates; we win by improving in our sport; we win by looking back on a sport that has meant so much  more to us than any one victory or defeat.  Invite your team to discuss winning,  losing, and the ways  they are always “winning more than the game!”