Final answer:
The primary purpose of interscholastic athletics is competition and sportsmanship, helping students prepare for life's challenges and teaching them to perform under pressure, deal with outcomes, and learn valuable social skills.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary purpose of interscholastic athletics is d) Competition and sportsmanship. The role of sports in schools includes preparing students for competition in life, a concept deeply embedded in various aspects of school life. Sports foster a competitive nature, which can help students perform better not only on the playing field but also in the professional world.
Moreover, interscholastic athletics serve as a platform for student-athletes to engage in healthy competition and learn the values of sportsmanship.
Through sports, students learn to deal with both victory and defeat, understand the importance of teamwork, and develop discipline and leadership skills.
Physical fitness and entertainment may also be secondary outcomes of such programs, and while academic achievement can be associated with participating in sports, it is not their primary purpose.