Why do we love to root for the underdog?
In sport and in life, we're on their side
LIFESTYLE Rags to riches
One of the best things about watching sporting competitions like the Olympic Games? The epic underdog tales! And in games like the Olympics, with over 10,000 athletes taking part, there are many to go around. But we also can't get enough of underdog stories of entrepreneurs, creatives, and politicians succeeding against the odds, or even characters in books and movies. The only thing more awe-inspiring than watching someone reach the incredible heights they do is to understand their journey there; the more implausible, the better! But what exactly is it about underdog tales that draw us in so much?
Click on the gallery to dive into the psychology of why people love to root for the underdog.