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Ego, the driving force of the dedicated athlete
To be a dedicated athlete, ego is often a good driving force. But it is said that it is sometimes misplaced, leading to situations that are, if not comical, at least conflictual and fueled by our society open to communication, social networks, and a form of free expression. Let’s rather make good use of our ego!
By Guillaume Judas – Photos : depositphotos.com
When ego goes astray: illusions and conflicts
Today it is very simple to communicate with the outside world, even though, paradoxically, we spend more and more time inside our homes. One could even say, inside oneself, as it is easier to put on a front and slightly distort reality, from the moment we present ourselves or confront our peers less directly. Consider our communication methods: phone, Internet, social networks, dating sites…
Sports practice is no exception to the rule, with fewer and fewer participants in “official” events, but ever more practitioners who virtually share their rides, their experiences, their performances. Centered on themselves, on their practice, on their vision of things, and sometimes no longer truly connected with reality.
And it’s sometimes comical, like these new practitioners who, as soon as they feel some speed on descents, imagine themselves as future Tour de France winners. Or others who maintain a fan club, based on GPS tracks, supposed performances (where, when, how, against whom?) and provocative comments.
Need for a form of recognition
To have ego is, in a way, to have a false representation of oneself, thoughts or attitudes built from memories or experiences that differ from who we truly are. We remember climbing that pass on a beautiful summer day, and the sensations weren’t so unpleasant. Even euphoric. And just like that, we’re professional-level climbers!
Ego transforms our need for love and self-acceptance into a need for recognition. Well, we’re not going to put ego on trial, because it is indeed a recognized driving force for any dedicated athlete, and particularly in our opinion in a discipline as difficult and time-consuming as cycling. Without a minimum of ego, how can one want to surpass oneself, have goals, or even go for a ride when the weather isn’t really suitable? And isn’t it said that one needs a rather developed ego to become a champion? Some even set the bar very high. And when push comes to shove, you have to “deliver,” or else look like an idiot.
The cyclist in front
Ego is what drives most practitioners to want to catch up with the cyclist in front on the road. It’s stronger than anything. When two lone cyclists follow each other in the countryside a few hundred meters apart, the second one almost always tries to catch up with the first. Then to overtake him, if he can and if his physical capabilities allow it. Because ego sometimes makes us forget that the rules of the game are not really established at the start, and that if the caught cyclist is simply daydreaming or on an “active recovery” session, he can also respond. It’s always a matter of perspective. But generally quite exhilarating. And a source of progress for those who use it at the right moment. Or, on the contrary, a salvation for those who refuse to see themselves age.
In this case, if ego maintains the illusion of youth and power gradually fading away (the style is still there, but not the strength!), reason calls us back to order. And it’s better to ride alone, letting the legend we’ve forged persist, rather than being directly confronted with the reality of the years gone by. Because fortunately, we are capable of recognizing these deceptions of our ego. And sometimes admitting them and dealing with them. Cycling also imposes a form of humility. Sooner or later, it takes mischievous pleasure in putting things back in their place. With experience, we know that this moment arrives much more often than we would like.
The virtual world and its pitfalls
But in this increasingly virtual world of communication that is ours, the space for expressing our ego is almost infinite. Sometimes fantasized, often unverifiable, our “performances” are displayed, or even relayed, which helps to reinforce that same ego. The images we disseminate of ourselves are most often controlled. To the point of forgetting that photos are retouched. But what does it matter as long as it makes us feel good. It’s human after all.
To return to sports, the sedentary person who discovers themselves as a practitioner and is thrilled by their progress, that’s rather refreshing. As for the rest of us, if it allows us to find a certain balance, then let’s be consenting, if not complicit. However, things can go awry when our feelings are clouded by our sole point of view, our sole experience.
Thus, an objectively modest or physically limited athlete (by their talent, by their lack of training, by their will) may find it difficult to imagine that the abilities of a professional rider are vastly superior to their own. In light of their experience, their life, their suffering, climbing a pass at 20 km/h is impossible. Their ego then manifests itself through protest, a slow process of discrediting and attempted destruction, enabled by the space of freedom – and the flaws – of our communication systems.
On Internet forums or social networks, thousands of anonymous individuals, most often hidden behind a pseudonym, have the opportunity to express themselves through the darkest prism of their ego. Not necessarily out of a concern for justice and fairness, but more often out of jealousy. Human ego has certainly never needed the virtual world to express itself.
Since the advent of cycling races, gossips have taken mischievous pleasure in commenting on and criticizing the performances of others on the roadside. But the virtual nature of exchanges gives them the impression of having more weight, more importance.
Driving force
Ultimately, is there such a thing as a well-placed ego, especially in sports? A matter of perspective, once again. If we assume that this weakness is inevitable, let’s above all learn to avoid its pitfalls. To use it as a driving force for performance and self-transcendence.
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