Competition is based on the details in the format, which competitors will optimise for.
Counter example from the examples given in the video. Olympic swimmers race, with heats and rules deciding who takes the less draggy centre lanes. But if we're truly looking for the fastest swimmers, we would conduct individual time trials in temperature controlled single lane pools at sea level, with times measured starting when the competitors' legs leave the diving board and when the competitors' fingers touch the wall at the end of the measured distance. Why should reaction time and inconsistent water drag count for the competition?