One of the most celebrated riders in the Tour de France is the
"lanterne rouge," the last place finisher, named after the red lantern they used to hang on the back of the train's caboose. Celebrated because he suffers and perseveres for nothing but the honor of coming last.
And it's not jeers, it is genuine congratulations, because only a very few ever are selected to compete, and merely making it to the finish is cause for celebration.