<puts ex teaching hat on>
I've taught games and particularly track and field athletics to hundreds of kids.
You can have athletics without making it all about those who are the fastest, strongest, jump highest. You can teach it so that the achievements of all the kids are applauded, so that they are applauded and made to feel good about their efforts, regardless of ability. That still doesn't rule out everyone appreciating those who are gifted.
Lets face it, how many of us can pole vault? Jump nearly 2m over a bar? Run 10km in under an hour?
Being a bit shit at sport doesn't exclude enjoying taking part, nor does it exclude appreciating those who are good.
When I take a 10yr old kid who says they can't run. Who says they trip over if they try, get asthma attacks, overheat till they explode, their feet hurt. When I take a kid like that and get them to run a mile, stay with them, sympathize with them all the way, encourage them. When they manage to do it, the reward of achievement, the pride they feel, that is fantastic, for them and the teacher. And I can guarantee you that child will appreciate the 10km win by Farah. They'll watch it and feel his pain, his breathing, his struggle.