<P> Its assertion about the importance of winning has been touted as a basic tenet of the American sports creed and , at the same time , identified as encapsulating what is purportedly wrong with competitive sports . This credo has served as counterpoint to the well known sentiment by sports journalist Grantland Rice that , `` it 's not that you won or lost but how you played the game , '' and to the modern Olympic creed expressed by its founder Pierre de Coubertin : `` The most important thing ... is not winning but taking part '' . </P>
<P> Its assertion about the importance of winning has been touted as a basic tenet of the American sports creed and , at the same time , identified as encapsulating what is purportedly wrong with competitive sports . This credo has served as counterpoint to the well known sentiment by sports journalist Grantland Rice that , `` it 's not that you won or lost but how you played the game , '' and to the modern Olympic creed expressed by its founder Pierre de Coubertin : `` The most important thing ... is not winning but taking part '' . </P>
it 's not the winning it 's the taking part quote
it 's not the winning it 's the taking part quote
the modern Olympic creed expressed by its founder Pierre de Coubertin : `` The most important thing ... is not winning but taking part ''
the modern Olympic creed expressed by its founder Pierre de Coubertin : `` The most important thing ... is not winning but taking part ''