Grace in Defeat

Why do people forget that there is grace in defeat.

Right from the outset a child is taught that he/she is supposed to win, to never come second. Everything is a competition and the one who comes first is the best. In any competition, in any sphere of life, there is only one who is going to win and others are going to loose. Now, how can everyone be that ONE?

I don't remember clearly, but this was the Ad for some Winter Olympics held somewhere around 2001; I think in Italy. What the Ad basically said was that 'it is the one's adversary that makes the victory worth the effort'. If the adversary is one who is not good enough to compete against you, then what good is such a victory? The fact that the adversary has the ability to defeat and still you win is what makes the victory sweet in the first place. Then why is there any disgrace in being defeated by a worthy opponent. It is the fact that the opponent can defeat you today which will make the victory sweet tomorrow.

Recently, Australia lost a test series on home soil to South Africa. Why is the reaction to such a defeat, so negative. Probably, its because the Australians are only good at that; Sports. But still, is the fact that the opponent is worthy and can defeat them so hard to bear. This is the typical unsporting attitude that will not help any team get anywhere. Not only on the field of play but also the game called life this one fact always remains true.