Surely, the point of sport is to put one's best effort into it, and to keep improving, attempt after attempt. The result, whatever that is, should then reflect that effort and ability. At least, that was the way with the original Olympics - it was the effort that was applauded more than anything; even the prizes were of very low monetary value.

If winning was all there was to sport, what are the silver and bronze medals for? And why should the ones who have no realistic chance of winning even take part?

But they do take part, don't they? QED