Acta Univ. Palacki. Olomuc., Gymn. 2010 40(1): 7-14

The hero in victory and loss

Ivo Jirásek, Donald N. Roberson
Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacky University, Olomouc

Background: Every game and competition contains the suspense caused by the possibilities of winning or losing. Adding to this, most cultures incorporate the concept of a hero and its significance in the life of the citizens.

Objective: The objective and purpose of this paper is to explain the importance of the concept of hero. This includes a discussion of the "agon motive", that is the principle distinguished by interpersonal rivalry and by the process of the acceptance of challenges.

Methods: Our methodology is a historical, rhetorical, and philosophical perspective outlining the history of the concept of hero. Further argument focuses on important concepts of agon, rivalization, and perfectionism.

Results: Our results and findings call attention to the differences between army agon and sport agon and their possible transformations. First, we discuss the distinction between reaching for victory by "rivalization" and "perfectionism". Rivalization means antagonizing or encountering another person in order to win in competition. Perfectionism implies who is the best person during the competition. Second, we distinguish the phenomenon of a fair victory from the phenomenon of "victory at any costs". Such adoration of victory over other values like health or respectable competition is not a sign of being a hero. Third, we show how this has resulted in a contemporary image of a one dimensional carnal hero whose main goal is to achieve victory. And, fourth, we discuss how the archetype of a hero has changed from Homer's hero who connects physical force with intellect and compassion, to a person who lives in only a physical dimension in order to achieve victory.

Conclusions: Hence, it is important to evoke the values of losing and to highlight the meaning of loss which can spread the goal of competition into the context of one's life.

Keywords: Hero, victory, loss, competition, rivalization, perfectionism, agon motive

Prepublished online: September 7, 2010; Published: January 1, 2010  Show citation

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Jirásek, I., & Roberson, D.N. (2010). The hero in victory and loss. Acta Universitatis Palackianae Olomucensis. Gymnica, 40(1), 7-14
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