الرياضة بين الالتزام بقواعد اللعبة وروح التنافس

Fair play, playing by the rules, and just playing for the fun of it.

Xtra English presenters Anna and Louay ask if these attitudes toward sport are getting in the way of competitive success.

Most countries lay claim to the ideal of playing by the rules in competitive sport, but the British seem to believe it's an attitude unique to themselves.

In his ironic new book 'Can we Have Our Balls Back Please: How the British invented sport and then almost forgot how to play it", author Julian Norridge suggests that 'British' attitudes toward sport are a result of a legacy which has been past down from the Victorian era (1837-1901).

The Victorians considered sport to be good for people both physically and spiritually.

They also believed that simply 'playing the game' was the most important part of competitive games. The necessity to win was less important.

Norridge says this legacy makes British competitors less determined to win.

Former table tennis star Matthew Syed does accept the idea that the British are uniquely uncompetitive and rule-bound.

He told the BBC that he believed the British to be just as ruthless as any other country.

BBC Xtra English reporter Valderine Ruston went onto the streets of central London to see what people's attitude to sport was.

Many were concerned that teams might become heartless in their aim for sporting success.

One speaker suggested there should be a middle ground between ruthlessness and simply playing for the fun of it.

How would you rate your own country for sporting competitiveness, do most people where you are play to win, or just for the fun of it?

Write to us in English.

كيف تقيم روح التنافس الرياضي في بلدك وحماس الرياضيين للتفوق؟ هل تمارس الرياضة من أجل الفوز أم لمجرد الاستمتاع؟ أكتب لنا بالإنجليزية.

fair play
المنافسة الرياضية الشريفة

playing by the rules
الاتزام بقواعد اللعبة

playing for the fun of it
ممارسة الرياضة من أجل المتعة

ironic
ساخر

a legacy
إرث

Victorian era
العصر الفيكتوري في بريطانيا

spiritually
روحي

ruthless
قاس وعديم الرأفة

heartless
فاقد للمشاعر والمقصود القسوة

a middle ground
حل وسط

أنقر هنا للاستماع للكلمات

شروط وبنود الاستخدام