The Olympics is almost over and much has been said about winning medals, what colour they are and whinging about not being in a medal position. With such a deep emphasis on winning outright to secure the gold medal, we get a lop-sided view about what the games is all about.

In rugby, the aim is to score a try. Then a goal opportunity is awarded afterwards. A try is worth more points and has more recognition in the game that a goal. Somehow, the rugby game has got it right – because the try is the main aim. The goal is just a by-product of trying.

Apparently, the try in rugby was not awarded any points. It was a TRY for a goal. So, once a played touched down, he is given an opportunity to score points via kicking for goal. Then some smart person realised that to try for a goal is what the game was about.

In the Olympics, a sportsperson tries for 4 years. Then it narrows down to the actual event. From then on, it is trying to do their personal best to score a medal. It only takes milliseconds to hit the finish line, but it takes four years of trying.

The lesson to be learnt here is that for the majority of our lives, we will be trying for things. Only brief moments of scoring goals will appear. Then it is a brief celebration and life goes on trying for other things. Trying is the game – not winning or scoring. They are only the by-products of trying.

And to try is worth much more than when you finish with your score.