What does decline in sportsmanship say about our society?

The Ethical Life

Episode 155: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss the concerning trend of poor sportsmanship observed at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

According to Kyte, the decline in graceful acceptance of defeat is not limited to the Olympics, but is evident across various levels of sports, from professional leagues to youth athletics. He pointed to incidents of abusive behavior from parents toward referees and players as indicative of a broader societal issue.

"There's plenty of things indicating that sportsmanship is declining, and I think it's an indication that we have as a society that's more and more focusing on the outcomes themselves and not on performance," Kyte said.

However, Kyte also highlighted examples of athletes who demonstrated exceptional sportsmanship, such as Noah Lyles and Josh Kerr, who were able to handle both victory and defeat with humility and grace.

The discussion also touched on the role of media coverage in shaping the public's perception of the Olympics. Rada and Kyte agreed that the extensive focus on personal stories and medal ceremonies can sometimes overshadow the raw competition and diverse range of events.

"I really wish American coverage spent a little more time on the sports themselves," Kyte said, suggesting that the networks should aim for a more balanced and representative portrayal of the Olympic Games.

The conversation ultimately underscored the importance of instilling values of resilience, self-compassion, and a focus on personal performance rather than solely on outcomes — lessons that can have a lasting impact on individuals and society as a whole.

Links to stories discussed during the podcast

The crybaby Olympics, by Christopher Beam, The Atlantic

Losing gracefully is one of the most important lessons from playing sports, by Fred Bowen, The Washington Post

How to be a better loser, by Blakely Low-Scott, Psyche

About the hosts

Scott Rada is a digital strategist with Lee Enterprises, and Richard Kyte is the director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He is also the author of "Finding Your Third Place: Building Happier Communities (and Making Great Friends Along the Way)."