wrote:
"Having fun" seems a very strong reason for allowing activities. That is
why most of us participate in recreational activities.

Indeed, but a serious competitor would always subordinate "fun" to
"efficiency", and if efficiency was proved to involve abandoning the
low finish, then you can bet most other, less serious competitors
would follow suit, just by copycat effect. You'll never get them to
abandon "fun" for "lawfullness", even with penalties. Heavy fines do
not deter most people from speeding... because when the road invites
you to go fast, you go fast. So take away the invitation.