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“delicious uncertainty” of sport competition

June 29th, 2010 | psychology

Sport is boring if you know who’s going to win.

Upsets are exciting.

Here’s a Nike ad cheering the underdogs.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

I’ve often told kids: “You don’t need to be better than the #1 competition. … But you want to be close enough that you can win if they miss.”

via Cirque’s Marceline Goldstein on Facebook

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9 comments ↓

#1 Evelyn on 06.29.10 at 8:06 am

A classic case of this right here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DHgMiN6Nlc

Brilliant! :-)

#2 Evelyn on 06.29.10 at 8:21 am

This is a better link to it actually giving Steves personal experience: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOrIv8sB4vg

#3 Sarah on 06.29.10 at 9:53 am

Dude, love your site but man, I would hate to win just because someone else messed up. Winning because you were the best over others who were at their best is what to shoot for.

#4 Kathryn in NZ on 06.29.10 at 1:53 pm

Completely agree – my youngest won her level at a comp last year because she did her best cleanest routines of the year that day and the usual top girls happened to not be attending. Being on the podium did wonders for her confidence and attitude.

#5 coach Rick on 06.29.10 at 2:06 pm

Agreed, Sarah.

That’s Plan A.

#6 coach Rick on 06.29.10 at 4:55 pm

Steve Bradbury is Olympic Champion. All hail.

He’s a perfect example of why you shouldn’t give up in the face of overwhelming odds.

I just saw the movie Invictus. Somebody should have told South Africa that the All Blacks from New Zealand couldn’t be beaten. :)

#7 Evelyn on 06.30.10 at 3:46 am

And clearly they made errors and lost control where he didnt… its not all about who’s fastest, its about tactics also so who’s to say he isnt deserving? He played the game to the rules and crossed the line first. It’s a tricky one but I think this guy deserved it

#8 Kathryn in NZ on 06.30.10 at 1:55 pm

ROFLOL – the All Blacks always choke at World Cups. And that movie barely hit the cinemas here and the reviews were very slanted to say the least!
Rick, can we come stay with you next year while the Cup is held here so to avoid the whole shebang?

#9 coach Rick on 06.30.10 at 6:35 pm

We could “house trade”.

I want to go to New Zealand for the World Cup and for tramping.

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