Should champions be hated? The ayes have it

[Redblurr]

Partly F1, but well worth a mention.

Last weekend brought us a fascinating collision — always the mot juste for a Michael Schumacher moment — between two champions. Two hated champions. A routine afternoon of Schumacher-hating in front of the telly was rounded off with Steve Davis, former serial snooker champion and British national hate-object.

[Mr V]

I can see that the mods may have to keep a close eye on this thread

[Super Tourer]

...and the point of this thread is...?

[climb]

Well it's typical of winners to be hated by those who are not fans of them, quite normal.

[Adam43]

Steve Davis is now a favourite of the national. He has a great following, although admittedly it is now he isn't so dominant.

It seems more of a parc ferme thread this. ? More psychology than F1.

[garcon]

We could discuss this in the context of F1, but if we expand it to cover anyone else who becomes a hate figure just because they're good at what they do, then yes it ought to be in Parc Ferme. Then I can moderate it!

Personally I find it one of the most pathetic facets of the psyche of people at large. Why should Michael Schumacher be despised and hated just because he happens to be successful?!

[Gt_R]

Well this is an F1 forum and hence keeping it firmly in F1-context is logical. However, i feel that including other arena's "champions" as supporting arguments can keep this thread honest instead of going down the tiring "Let's bash MS" route

But Garcon, i agree. It's pathetic when people despise MS (or other successful sportsmen) just because he is so good and successful. No doubt people can dislike MS or anybody they choose, however disliking somebody doesn't equate to having see the need to put him down and tarnish every achievement he makes.

Similarly, while it is not impossible that people dislike certain sportsmen for what they do, more often than not it is the jealousy or unhappiness to see a successful driver like MS dominate and put their favourite driver/sportsman to shame, and that cause a deep resentment.

Frankly, i'd be surprised if this thread last more than 1 page before war begins

[Mr V]

I would just like to say that not everyone dislikes Michael (i prefer to say dislikes as opposed to hate) just because he's successful. Whilst being respectful of Michaels talent and acheivements, i don't like him, but the fact thats it's because he's successful is not the reason for it.

Interesting that Maradonna is also in that article, and i bet that he's not "disliked" (by English people at least) because he's successful, rather than the fact that he cheated in a football match, which contributed to England being knocked out of a major football tournament.

[climb]

Nonetheless, V, if people who don't behave, in our opinion, correctly don't get our esteem, watching them regularly winning makes them a lot more dislikeable.