In On the Genealogy of Morality, Friedrich Nietzsche presents a provocative thesis: the dominant moral code in our society does not arise from strength, but from resentment. According to the philosopher, humanity is symbolically divided between the virtuous—those who act from their vital power, obeying no other law than their own strength—and the resentful, those who, unable to affirm their power, retreat into a morality that inverts values and turns their weakness into virtue.

I’m not interested here in elaborating on Nietzsche’s duality in depth, but rather in pausing on a phenomenon that feels familiar within high-performance sport: the emergence of resentment as emotional fuel in the athlete’s career.

The competitive life is riddled with obstacles: triumphs and defeats, unfair decisions, exclusions, injuries, favoritism, silence. All of this, if not processed with maturity, can shape a character driven by bitterness, constant comparison, and a disguised sense of moral superiority, closely resembling what Nietzsche called a “slave morality.”

Seven Traits of the Resentful Athlete (in Nietzschean terms)

1- Reactivity. The athlete doesn’t act from clear intent, but in response to others. Their motivation lies in proving something to someone.

2- Denial of life. What they fail to achieve—a spot on the team, a medal, recognition—they discredit: “It wasn’t that important,” or “I didn’t want it anyway.” Unacknowledged frustration lies beneath.

3- Inversion of values. The role of the invisible, the one who “endures,” is exalted, while the successful are discredited as cold, fake, or privileged. The resentful elevate themselves not by what they accomplish, but by what they suffer—turning wounds into moral flags. Thus, they transform impotence into merit and failure into virtue.

4- Self-victimization. The athlete sees themselves as wronged. Every situation becomes further evidence that the system is against them.

5- Persistent resentment. They live from the memory of grievance: the coach who didn’t select them, the rival who “didn’t deserve it,” the result that still stings. The past conditions the present.

6- Creative impotence. Instead of exploring new ways to improve, they seek blame. The energy that could go into innovation is consumed in criticism and dismissal.

7- Slave morality. They train out of duty, not desire. They comply and obey, but without joy or affirmation. Their compass is fear of failure, not passion for growth.

Elite sport demands that athletes face adversity. But how one responds to frustration defines their inner ethic. Resentment may serve as a temporary engine, but it’s a poor long-term companion: it drains, isolates, and disconnects the athlete from their creative power. Acting from affirmation—even amid difficulty—opens the path to greater freedom, joy in effort, and a journey without the need to justify every step with an imaginary opponent.