A veteran springboard driver, defeated by his compatriot in the finals of a world championship, offering congratulations to the victor in a warm embrace and waving a tearful farewell to the audience. An outstanding female fencer falling in a decisive set not under the attack of her rival's sword but as a result of a muscular spasm of her own.
Those are common occurrences in the athletic world but they are scenes of tragic heroism bringing tears to the eyes of the outgoing heroes as well as the audience. Sportsmen spend the best part of their lives in tough training and fierce competitions fighting or ever better records. When it becomes evident they are on the decline they still make strenuous efforts to give their best so as to bring a satisfactory end to their brilliant career.
Chances to compete for championship are few and far between. Life is short. Still shorter is the time for an athlete trying to win games. None other than an athletic contestant feels so keenly about the rarity of opportunity and the fleeting of time. He cherishes every minute, makes full use of it and tries to grasp any chance coming his way. He gets as much as he gives, winning honours not only for himself but also fro his country.
To participate and to win-that is the Olympic spirit. It finds expression in the weak daring to defy the strong, and the strong striving for ever better performance. Ever better-the ideal always luring a sportsman forward. He will do everything he can for it, never relax, never give up. It is said that none of the competitors can avoid being defeated-even the best is bound to be surpassed by someone still stronger. This is the rule of sports-thousands of losers to set off one victor who in turn will eventually be replaced by someone on the honour list. However, undaunted by the inevitable failure, he is always striving to do the best he can. When the time comes and he knows he can't, he well step down happily to give place to the younger winner, aware contentedly of the fact that he has done his bit for the "ever better" records of the Olympic Games. He will say proudly that he has not lived his youth in vain.
