Competition has forever been at the heart of sports. Athletes compete to find out who is the best on any given day. It’s why we play the game…or is it? We have drifted far from the true meaning of competition. As a result, our society suffers greatly as we continuously compare ourselves to others. We believe we will never be good enough. What if we have competition all wrong?

Redefining Competition

In today’s win-at-all-costs sports culture, we are far from the roots of true competition.

If we trace the word “competition” back its Latin origins we can find a new foundation on which to build at all levels of sport. The root of competition is “petere,” which means to search or strive for something of value or excellence. The preposition “com” means together.

Competition means a mutual pursuit of excellence.

In essence, competition isn’t about winning and losing at all. It is about bringing out the best in one another. It is a symphony, not a solo recital. Competition is cooperative not adversarial. The winners are those who were challenged and rose to reveal their full potential.

True Competition

I’ve written before that the best competition lies within ourselves. This is especially true if we see competition in terms of comparison. However, understanding that competition is cooperative allows athletes to embrace the challenge of facing off against opponents that test one’s limits.

Here are just two ways redefining competition could impact your athletes and teams.

Respecting Opponents Builds Character

This renewed definition of competition encourages athletes to respect their opponents. A true understanding of competition leads athletes to understand that without stiff competition, they cannot and will not fulfill their own potential. Opponents, it turns out, need each other.

Minutes after the 2017 Australian Open men’s final, Roger Federer took the mic as the victor. While always a class-act, he truly took us to a new level.

“And here we stand in the finals,” Federer said looking back to Rafael Nadal. “I’m happy for you. I would’ve been happy to lose to you, to be honest. Tennis is a tough sport; there’s no draws. But if there was going to be one, I would be very happy to accept a draw tonight and share it with Rafa.”

The crowd gasped, audibly, prompting Roger to add, ”Really.”

When asked about the relationship between Federer and Nadal, Paul Annacone (once Federer’s coach) said, “They just get it.” He referred to how they view themselves, showing respect for one another and the game. It isn’t what we expect from rivals. Annacone says, “We’re like, Don’t they really hate each other, deep down?” But they don’t. In fact, they recognize the roles one another plays in the success of their own careers.

Coaches everywhere preach, “Respect your opponent.” But often this merely means not to doubt their skills. Truly, athletes ought to respect opponents, having empathy, compassion, and appreciation for one another. This is one way that sport builds character.

Together We Can Reveal Our True Potential

Opponents need each other. In my own experience as an athlete I played my best against the best opponents. Those are the people who challenged me, who brought out the best in my own performance. For them I am thankful.

Roger Federer felt this gratitude for his rival Nadal. Here is what he shared while attending the opening of Nadal’s tennis academy in Majorca, Spain:

“I’ve seen a lot of hard workers and inspiring players, but you’ve been the one who has been the most inspiring and most influential and make me the player I am today. Because you’re left-handed, because of your spin, because of the intensity you bring to the court, I had to reinvent and rework my game entirely.”

A renewed view of competition changes how athletes respond to the challenge.

When athletes view competition as win-or-lose it is easy to feel threatened. When athletes feel threatened they are likely to back down, pull away, or make excuses.

Alternatively, an athlete can view competition as a mutual challenge to bring out the best in others by playing the best he or she can play. This challenge (not threat) causes athletes to rise to the occasion, testing the limits of their potential.

Reap the Rewards of True Competition

Competition isn’t us versus them. It isn’t a battle to be won. Opponents aren’t the enemy.

Redefining competition changes everything. We no longer compete against, but with one another. This allows athletes to focus on playing their best, rather than simply trying to be better than the person across from them. Sport becomes about striving to pursue our potential (process over outcome).

When we redefine competition, we reimagine what sportsmanship is all about.

Annacone sums up nicely what we can all learn from Federer and Nadal as competitors. “Why can’t it always be like that? You look at these guys and see that you can be a helluva competitor, work your ass off, spill your guts and then praise the person on the other side. It’s kind of how life should be. They do what you’re suppose to do.”

Question: What is one thing you would do differently if you adopted this definition of competition?

I’d love to hear from you in the comments below, or on Facebook or Twitter.

• Book: Inside Out Coaching by Joe Ehrmann
• Book: True Competition by David Shields and Brenda Bredemeier
• Post: 5 Reasons Athletes Should Focus On Improving Not Winning
• Post: Do You Want Your Athletes to be a Class Act?