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Articles

Why Sport Needs Good & Evil

Kola Adeosun & Ato Kenya Rockcliffe on the dynamics of sporting greatness.

Every so often, an athlete emerges who redefines their sport – a figure so dominant that their very presence forces competitors to recalibrate their ambitions. These athletes are not just champions; they become symbols. The media, fans, and broader sporting culture do not simply celebrate them, they categorise them and mythologize them. Some are revered as heroes, paragons of talent and humility; others are cast as villains, defined by arrogance, ruthlessness, or an unwillingness to conform to traditional sporting narratives. Why does this categorisation as ‘good’ or ‘evil’ happen?

Effective sports narratives, like all great storytelling, thrives on conflict.

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