<p>Well, there’s something to be said for the ability to separate outcomes from identity. Semantics can be important, and I’d agree that ‘you’ve lost’ would be a better phrase than ‘you’re a loser.’ It’d be difficult to eliminate the latter from usage, though.</p>
<p>In the end, the goal re. competition is to take “I’ve lost” well without internalizing the idea that “I’m a loser.” Which, again, is more of a function of how losses are coached and treated, rather than of competition itself. But still, very important point.</p>