It doesn't matter if you win by an inch or a mile, winning is winning, amirite?

And it would be pretty crazy if that happened in a swimming race!

Let's stick with a race as an example: If the other guy finished in 30 seconds, what's more satisfactory, finishing in 15 or in 29.9?

Yes, great job on the tautology post, but all wins aren't equal. Each situation in every event is different, and I don't know why you would say that the circumstances of the win don't matter.

The numbers don't matter. The point is, a lot or a little? You could run/swim/whatever at a torrential pace, setting world records, obliterating the competition and establishing yourself as the best there is, or you could participate in a close race.

Honestly, yeah, despite my wording, both have rewards. And the result of both is the same. But regardless of which you prefer, they're different in so many ways. And there are countless other possible outcomes in every sport that can't just be summed up as "winning is winning."

I agree. It's not fun/exciting if you totally blow the other person away.

Yes, but if you lose by a mile you feel pretty worthless and lousy.

That's true, but I think I would rather lose knowing it was close because it's more satisfactory knowing that you could compete with them. When I play softball losing 3-2 feels better than 8-2 because you know it was a good game.

But at least you know that you clearly lost to someone better than you

No, he beat that Lochte guy and won gold. He was trolling earlier.