The character of chivalry2

It is，however，not sufficient for sportsmen to form an elite；it is necessary also for this elite to have the character of chivalry.Knights are first and foremost“brothers in arms”，valiant，dynamic men united by a bond more powerful even that ofmere friendship，even if friendship forms such a powerful bond on its own account.To the idea ofmutual aid which is the basis of friendship，chivalry adds the idea of rivalry，of effort opposed to effort for the love of effort，of courteous and nevertheless deadly strife.Such was the Olympic Spirit3 in classical times and in its first principles.It is easy to see what far reaching consequences these principles can have when they are extended to include international competitions.The progress of this spirit from nation to nation has been slow but sure.It remains now for its influence to spread even to the spectators，until we reach the point where，on all sporting occasions and all themore so at the Olympic Games，all national preferences are disregarded and the applause is directed in proportion to the feat accomplished and exclusively so.

4-4　The character of chivalry