The Price of Victory: What It Takes to Compete

By S. Chamberlain

“We don’t quit, we don’t cower, we don’t run. We endure and conquer.” Words from the professional basketball player for the Lakers, Kobe Bryant. This quote portrays the determination that athletes need to have, as well as the stubbornness and the process they must go through to become one of the best. Many people only see the glory of their victory, but not the personal “terms and conditions” that they silently agree to, and face throughout their everyday lives.  
Athletes have physical demands. When signing up for a sport, there is an unspoken contract with your body. Every athlete has different physical needs, but all involve pushing limits, even though some come at a price. For example, sports have a huge impact on our schedule. A typical volleyball player can train for 6 hours per week, while a professional volleyball player can train up to 30 hours weekly. Not only that, but waking up at 5 am isn’t unusual for student athletes, as it is frequently the only time they can practice around school and homework. The most overlooked aspect of practising a sport is the risk of injuries. The public often views injuries as common occurrences due to physical obligations, even though they can change the athlete’s entire route to success. Whether it is a sprained ankle, sore joints, or pulled muscles, pain becomes a familiar companion for many.  
It’s easy to admire the highlights, but in the background, we all know that stress and anxiety are a huge platform in an athlete’s life, due to the burnout, the fear of failure, and the constant need to be better. It’s a mental contract that many don’t see, but must honour during practice and games. Frequently, athletes find themselves trying to balance schoolwork, personal life and hobbies, which is rarely acknowledged by the crowd. Although this can be worrisome, it builds resilience in the trainees; they practice bouncing off from losses and failures, learning and growing stronger each time.   
Being an athlete is about determination. Professional athletes didn’t just avoid failure, they succeeded because they were resilient enough to rise every time they fell. They find joy in improvement, they don’t quit just because they failed, they use the failure as motivation to do better next time. Lots of sports are about teamwork and collaboration, a key skill to have in the real world. Every win has a story behind it. Every medal and every trophy has the hard work put into it, which is why athletes continue despite their struggles, for that special moment.  
The “terms and conditions” that athletes face throughout their journey may not be printed on paper, but they all agree to them. Every athlete faces their struggles, and they are put up with lots of hard work, never take them for granted, because their setback only make them stronger and more resilient. So the next time you cheer from the sidelines, remember: victory is never free.  ​