I’m talking about this in regards to the sport of triathlon.
What does it mean to be a giver, or a taker?
What category do you fall in if you simply train and race, assuming you follow all the rules? (You don’t litter, you don’t ride like an ass in traffic, you don’t draft, you display good sportsmanship, etc.)
IMO everyone who participates brings somethng to the sport. The person who shows up to their first triathlon on a borrowed mountain bike and gym shorts and tries their best then goes home is building the sport. They are tomorrow’s IMNA applicant, USAT member, tri bike customer, etc.
So I think those people are bringing something into the sport. That’s good.
People who race and train and help others train and also help out at events- obviously they are giving something back too.
A fine man in our area named Russ Hudson is one of the guys whose name comes to mind as a total class act, and a fine sportsman. Russ is an excellent athlete, frequent volunteer and has helped many people getting their start in the sport. He is also a valued customer and ruthless competitor. A guy like that brings a lot to the sport.
Realistically, I think there are very few people who “take” from the sport. Some do, no doubt- when they use the sport to further their own agendas and ambitions to the detriment of others and the sport. That is bad. Thankfully, those types are few and far between I think.
Now that is BS Tibbs and you know it - how many other triathletes can claim to have a full time job as the resident comedian???