First, heading for the large amount of gold or any thick prizes. If it is only the prize that a athlete cares, all he wants is winning. He may betrayal the principle of competition, that is, FAIR. He may use dirty methods or whatsoever to win the game. Then a competition lost its meaning to him. Obviously, competition comes second to him.
The second reason might be testing one self. If an athlete just wants to test himself in a game and see what he can do, he wouldn't care who is the winner or who is the loser. All he wants is only one thing----I CAN DO IT. In a competition, proof of his own ability is enough. Competition does come second, doesn't it?
The third reason will be building bridge with other athletes. That's the saying "Friendship first; Competition second" about. Developing friendship with other athletes may help enrich his personal life and have his sports career become a colorful one. With friends around, he may always feel like a winner himself.
Seeing these facts, we find out that based on many kinds of purpose, a competition is often the second.
