The Sport Ethic

The sport ethic is a value system. It's the criteria which qualify somebody as a "true athlete" or not. There are four beliefs which are commonly thought of to be central to the sport ethic; they are defining factors as to whether somebody identifies, by others and by themselves, as an athlete. It makes clear that sport isn't only about fun, winning or friendship. The four beliefs can extend beyond sports and encourage rigorous personal development in any field.
The first belief is that personal sacrifices must be made for The Game. People with a strong sport ethic put their sport above other interests and make sacrifices to keep it there. They put the needs of their team and sport above their personal needs consistently. The second belief concerns the desire to be distinct--to be recognized for one's performance and to be rewarded or it. With perfection being to highest possible route to distinction, a person striving for distinction tries to climb the pyramid, to push themselves and, in result, push others. The third belief is that risks and pain are completely necessary for sport and that both must be accepted, even welcomed. Integral to sport is challenge, and to bow in the face of challenge is to lose. Athletes in the face of fear, pain or pressure must show courage by standing strong and persevering. The fourth belief can drive a game's development: looking for the greatest of possibilities while rejecting any limits set by others or oneself. This belief is about overcoming one's beliefs about how good they could become and finding new limits (and breaking them)
It's easy to see why most athletes conform to this belief system. While it is very useful and strategic to have these beliefs in sport, this value system is a basic framework around which one can live their life. This system is basic and yet the results it yields can be gratifying and profound. There are some athletes, however, who overconform to these beliefs which can lead to deviance and negative behavior. The authors suggest two reasons for this: the experience of playing in their game can be so exhilarating that their motivation to continue playing is extreme, and the prospect of sponsorship drives them to embody what sponsors look for (hint: sport ethic).
I personally subscribe to the belief that there is no gain without any pain. I don't find any resulting motivation from this belief, however, to pursue painful endeavors with the aim of benefiting; rather I cope with situations I am already in by viewing the hardship or pains as necessary, or even as perfect opportunities to come out on top, a better person. When I exercise, I don't start initially with the thought of going until I can go no more, for this would defuse any motivation preemptively. I rather begin on an easy workout and just do what I can. Then, when I approach breaking point, thoughts about the pain and breaking through it, creep in and drive me further. I try to apply this approach in many aspects of my life, and so far it has been fairly successful.