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I. COMPETITION

TOPIC 2. SPORTS COMPETITIONS

I. COMPETITION

Ex.1. Here is one way of grouping sports into different categories:

· Against Oneself

· Against Others

· Against Nature

How does the word "against" tell you that the world of sport is a world of challenge? Discuss.

Rewrite the name of each category using a different word for "against". How does the use of a different word change the way in which we think of the world of sport? Discuss.

Ex.2. Complete the table by checking the categories each sport could fit into. Each sport can be grouped under more than one category.

Ex.3. Read the list of words and expressions. Mind your pronunciation. Consult the dictionary if necessary.

compete verb to try to win or do better than others

competing response theory noun the idea that offering an external reward such as a trophy for winning a competition may distract the competitor from the joy of winning for its own sake, lessening motivation

competition training noun athletic training that specifically prepares the athlete for the competition situation

competitive adjective 1. involving competition 2. tending to want to do something better than others or achieve more than others

competitive individualism noun the belief that competition is a natural and healthy way of distributing rewards to those who try hardest and have the most natural ability, and that it brings out the best in a person

competitiveness noun the quality of being competitive

competitive state anxiety noun a feeling of stress caused by competition, especially when the athlete does not feel able to meet the challenges

competitive stress noun stress caused by an athlete feeling unable to meet the demands of the competition

competitor noun an athlete taking part in sport competition

Discuss different aspects of sport competition; add some more words related to sport competition.

Ex.4. Read a passage, taken from a book “Sport and Exercise Psychology. The Key Concepts” by Emilee Cashmore. Discuss the key concepts of sport competition.

COMPETITION

Although competition invariably suggests a contest against others, its original meaning is wider. From the Latin com meaning for and petere – seek, it defines a search for superiority in some quality, either with or against others.

Competition is, of course, the ‘‘essence’’ of sports, though it carries no necessary connotation of opposition or RIVALRY. This property has been added by cultures that encouraged contest as part of the struggle to demonstrate competence. In 1976, Rainer Martens defined competition as ‘‘a process in which comparison of an individual’s performance is made with some standard in the presence of at least one other person who is aware of the criterion for comparison and can evaluate the comparison process’’. The ‘‘comparison’’ is typically understood as a contest.

The question related to competition is: Does there have to be a necessary bifurcation of winners and loser, victors and vanquished? Karen Lee Hill, in examining the ‘‘humanistic model’’ of sports conceptualizes competition as a ‘war’ with one’s ADVERSARY. However, opponents in a competition are not trying to destroy their opponents but are providing legitimate resistance sufficient that their opponents can develop potential and demonstrate capabilities.

There is, of course, only one WINNER, though both parties profit from the encounter in the sense that they have both exercised SKILL and demonstrated SELF-EFFICACY. This conception of competition seems at odds with commonsense interpretations which STRESS winning as the end point. While this may seem to be the case, competitors are actually helping each other reach individual goals by forcing them to produce their best effort and perhaps improve their performance. Without stern opposition, this may not be possible. The rules of any competition define the conditions under which human excellence may be realized and advanced.

Research by Diane Gill and her associates indicates that highly skilled athletes assess success not by the outcome of a contest but by their evaluation of their personal performances. Obviously, they strive toward victory in competition, but competitive orientation, defined as ‘‘desire to strive for success in competition,’’ is only one element of their overall MOTIVATION. While competition involves an interaction between two or more parties in pursuit of the same GOAL and the ultimate failure of one or more or more of the parties to attain it, the term should properly be understood in its original form. Even in contemporary competition, it seems, DEFEAT is not a synonym for failure; it is one of several criteria used to evaluate the competitive experience.

A related term is competitiveness, which is a characteristic of someone or something. A person might have or display a strong desire to be more successful than others.

Taken from Cashmore E. Sport and Exercise Psychology. The Key Concepts / Ellis Cashmore. – T & F Books Uk; 2 Edition, 2009. – 528 p.

Ex.5. Answer the following questions.

1. Where does the word competition come from?

2. Is rivalry essential for competition?

3. What is comparison referred to in the competition?

4. What is the “humanistic model” of competition?

5. In what way is stress good for competitors?

6. What is the difference between motivation and goal in the competition?

7. Is defeat the synonym of failure? Why?

8. What is competitiveness?

Ex.1. Read the list of words and expressions. Mind your pronunciation. Consult the dictionary if necessary.

Score

score – счет

tally – общий счет

aggregate – общая сумма очков

team scoring – командный зачет

point – очко, балл

goal – гол, шайба

in smb’s favour – в чью-либо пользу

to notch up(collect) points – набрать очки

to open the score – открыть счет

What’s the score?

In most games you score goals (e.g. hockey, football) or points (table tennis, basketball). The scoring system is different in different games.

Lead

lead – лидерство, ведение

gap, margin – разрыв

to go into the lead – создать преимущество в счете

to rush into the lead – вырваться в счете

to hold a (one point) lead – удерживать преимущество (в одно очко)

to be (2 goals) down – отставать в счете на (2 гола)

to equalize, to even up the score, to level out – сравнять счет

to fight back – отыграться

When the game is still in progress, we often use the verb lead to describe the position of the teams and players.

e.g. At half-time, Spain are leading Switzerland 2–1.

Sampras is leading 3–2 in the first set.

Win

victory, win – победа, winner– победитель

deserved – заслуженная

hard-won – тяжело завоеванная

landslide, walloping – полная

spectacular – эффектная

unexpected – неожиданная

home victory – победа на своем поле

walk over – легкая победа

white- wash – победа всухую

nose-out win (loss) – победа с минимальным счетом

nose out – победить с трудом, обойти на последних метрах

to win (lose) by a slim margin – выиграть с небольшой разницей в счете

‘grand slam’ – разгром

to beat, to defeat smb – победить кого-либо

e.g. Spain beat Switzerland 3–2.

Spain won the match.

Spain defeated Switzerland. Spain were the winners.

Loss

defeat, loss, licking – поражение, проигрыш

to take a bad beating, licking – потерпеть жестокое поражение

the loser, defeated, beaten – проигравший

to slam, to swamp, to rout – разгромить

e.g. Spain beat Switzerland 3-2. = Switzerland lost to Spain 3-2.

Spain won the match. = Switzerland lost the match.

Spain defeated Switzerland. = Switzerland were defeated.

Spain were the winners. = Switzerland were the losers.

Draw

draw, tie – ничья

to draw, to tie – сыграть вничью

to tie on points – получить равное количество очков

to agree to a draw – согласиться на ничью

e.g. If both teams or players have the same score (= number of goals or points), it is draw.

e.g. We drew yesterdays match/game 2-2.

The game is tied – счет равный.