Picture the scene. You’re approaching the final bend of the annual school cross-country run with only 500 metres to victory.

But what’s this? An underhand rival has cut a corner of the course and is now crossing the finish line in front of you.

The injustice of it all, especially as you were taught that “cheat’s never prosper”.

Despite my bad experience many years ago, it seems that rule-breaking is rife on the school playing field with youngsters willing to elbow, head-butt and argue their way to victory, a poll found today.

More than half of eight to 16-year-olds say they witness bad sportsmanship in every single game they play, according to a survey by The Cricket Foundation and the MCC.

Among the examples of bad sportsmanship cited by those questioned were people pretending to be hurt, diving in football matches to win penalties, punching, kicking and swearing.

One child told researchers: “Boys in school playing rugby pulled a boy to the ground and stood on his knee so he couldn’t score a try.”

Another remembers “being hit by a team member in a hockey game at school in order for them to score”.

And a third told researchers: “A boy threw a snooker ball at the other boy he was playing against because the other boy was winning.”

The poll, part of the MCC – the UK’s cricket governing body – and the Cricket Foundation’s ongoing nationwide scheme to encourage fair play in schools, also reveals that half of parents admit that it’s their responsibility to deal with their child’s unfair play, while 28 per cent said it was down to the coach.

Thankfully, the poll did find that children are not impressed by professional sportsmen who break the rules.

So here’s our list of the good, the bad and the ugly behaviour from the sporting world: The Good...

• Nigel Mansell – The portly racing driver celebrated a win in 1991 by giving a lift to rival driver Ayrton Senna after he’d run out of petrol.

• Andy Roddick – Serve and volley merchant Andy Roddick forfeited a 2005 victory in the name of sportsmanship.

The American tennis player corrected a line judge when an opponent’s serve was given as out, although his honesty cost him the match.

• Paulo Di Canio – The fiery Italian striker proved he had a good streak when he abandoned a goal scoring opportunity because of an injured rival goalkeeper.

The noble gesture won him the FIFA Fair Play Award.

• John Francombe – Pint-sized John Francombe passed up the chance to scoop the 1982 National Hunt jockey’s championship after close rival Peter Scudamore suffered a season-ending injury.

Francombe remained level with Scudamore on points, but decided not to ride for the rest of the season out of respect.

• Tana Umaga – Lesser-known New Zealand rugby player Tana gave up an attacking advantage to stop Wales captain Colin Charvis from choking on his gumshield.

The Bad… • Mike Tyson – In 1997, Iron Mike lost the plot in a boxing match against Evander Holyfield. The crazed pugilist was disqualified for biting his opponent’s ears in what became know as ‘bite night’.

• Diego Maradona – The Argentine football legend cheated his way to World Cup glory in 1986 after a blatant handball against England in the quarterfinals.

• Tonya Harding – The ice skater shot to notoriety after conspiring in the attempted knee-capping of skating competitor Nancy Kerrigan during the 1994 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

• Cristiano Ronaldo – The winking Portugese pretty boy showed un-gentlemanly behaviour when he goaded former team mate Wayne Rooney at the 2006 World Cup.

• Ben Johnson – In 1988, Canadians rejoiced when their sprinter Ben Johnson won Olympic gold and smashed the 100-metre world record.

Two days later, he was stripped of his gold medal and world record after testing positive for steroid use.

…and The Ugly • Paula Radcliffe – On course to win the 2005 London Marathon, Paula had time to stop for an impromptu toilet break on the side of the road. Dirty, dirty girl.

• Frank Rijkaard – The Dutch midfielder was involved in an unsavoury spitting incident when West Germany played the Netherlands in the 1990 World Cup. Rijkaard was booked for a bad tackle on Rudi Völler, then gobbed all over his mulleted coiffure.

• Terry Butcher – This uncompromising defender doesn’t mind spilling his blood for Queen and country.

His white England shirt was drenched in claret after he played on with a head injury during a decisive match in 1989.

• Gillian Cooke – British world champion bobsleigher Gillian Cooke had a chill wind behind her when her skin-tight lycra suit split during this year’s Winter Olympics.