Other / Paul Moon / 16 May 2008 /

Pablo Luna - Moonlighting for Betfair. Tim Henman, Frank Bruno and Jimmy White are amongst British sportsmen who were popular losers. But why can't Britain produce popular winers instead, asks Pablo.

I have long held a view that new countries such as America and Australia have a basic biological unit of heredity that England no longer has. The energy, drive and compulsion of these nations' forefathers is still pulsating through their descendants. These hereditary genes have not been diluted or dissolved in hundreds of years of consumptive lifestyle but beats close to the surface. Because of this there is a non-acceptance of losing, it fails to register on any scale that they understand.

Britons' easy acceptance of defeat courses through our veins and has become normal. The Corinthian gentleman's handshake and attitude is idiosyncratic only to the British. Britain actively nurtures and cherishes this behaviour and romanticises it in the press and media. An industry is built around perennial losers like Tim Henman so much so that year on year, new fourteen year olds are to be found shouting 'Come on Tim' in SW19 at Wimbledon. Glorious failure inevitably followed!

Too many argue that it is the taking part that counts. What I believe Rudyard Kipling really meant when he called winning and losing "those two impostors" is that sometimes we don't control outcomes? All we can really control is our effort, standard and comportment. Because of our history and lifestyle we lack patience, desire, endurance and sheer guts. We have bred a sub culture of 'patronising arty-farty woolly liberals' in key places, tweaking the purse strings that undermine winning and glorify the taking part!

In Australia and America winning is a given. Losing teams and coaches are swiftly despatched into the void and never mentioned again. I remember how painful it was for the Aussies when they lost the 2005 Ashes. From the moment the last ball was bowled they were planning their revenge. 2007 couldn't come quick enough, the country expected and demanded retribution. I personally witnessed their absolution. We on the other hand hope it all comes right on the day and that they will not be so competitive next time round.

Win-at-any-cost ethos dominates sport in America. In the early years of American football, deaths on the field were not unusual -- it was common to regard the endurance of pain and injury without flinching as character building. Steroids and cheating followed but it characterised the loathing of losing and the desire to win at all costs!

I despise comments that some Australians use their success in sport as a substitute for arguably more substantive achievements. This merely deflects from our shortcomings in sport. I believe coaching and training methods can be improved but globalisation has brought us all closer in that department. Many argue that bad weather and poor facilities are the problem and there is an ounce of truth in that but it is our laissez-faire attitude and a distinctive lack of confidence that is our single biggest detriment. We are no longer a confident nation - we are introspective!

When I look back at great sportsmen like Nick Faldo we find that apart from skill levels they have composure, concentration, inner belief and resolve. His presence intimidated opponents. Despite numerous false dawns he has not been replicated because the Casey/Donald/Montgomerie/Clarkes of this world do not have his courage and are happy to be comfortable!

It will be interesting to see what the aloof Faldo brings to the Europe team as captain in this year's Ryder Cup where our players have sponged off the pool of combined confidence to triumph in the past. The 2008 Ryder Cup to be played in Louisville, Kentucky, USA in September see Europe trading at [2.24] USA [2.06] and the Tie [13]. Prices with Betfair.

Quietly private Lennox Lewis was a courageous winner and a fantastic champion but this elite gladiator was never loved here, they casually claim he was Canadian! In America he is idolised for his true worth. There is the difference! At the other end of the silly scale the public adored Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards for finishing last. Jimmy White was another perennial loser who remained the nation's favourite snooker player! Six finals and six losses but the general public preferred him to Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry (winners).

Joe Calzaghe, who is not fully appreciated, was left to wonder if he needed to lose at some point to gain the widespread support fight fans in the United Kingdom generally reserved for flawed heavyweights Frank Bruno and Henry Cooper. He summed it up perfectly by saying "They love a loser in this country, they hated Eubank when he was champion. He goes out and loses and then they love him. Work it out. I don't know. It's ridiculous." I agree!

Alas the British public love to wallow. A brave and gallant loser is as worthy as a winner. I do not share that view! Sport, good food and teeth have never been things England has done well, but if you want to show me a good loser I'll show you a loser.

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

:

:

:

?

: