Who cares about gladiators? An elite-sport-based concept of Sustainable Sport

The aim of this study is to define the concept of sustainability as it applies to one of the most competitive and accelerated subsystem of human activity, elite sport (or professional sport) to construct a robust understanding of it. Based on qualitative research with Hungarian Olympic athletes, we...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inSport in society Vol. 25; no. 8; pp. 1469 - 1488
Main Authors Szathmári, Attila, Kocsis, Tamás
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Abingdon Routledge 03.08.2022
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Subjects
Commodification
Degrowth
elite sport
Elites
leisure sport
Qualitative research
Sports
strong sustainability
Well being
wellbeing
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Summary:The aim of this study is to define the concept of sustainability as it applies to one of the most competitive and accelerated subsystem of human activity, elite sport (or professional sport) to construct a robust understanding of it. Based on qualitative research with Hungarian Olympic athletes, we created an elite-sport-based Sustainable Sport questionnaire with 23 statements to test and map emerging topics related to elite sport. Revealed elements of Sustainable Sport include (1) future orientation, (2) community, (3) decommodification, and (4) a redefined concept of performance. This definition reflects the problems of sport particularly, and (hypothetically) of society and the economy in general. It points toward both environmental sustainability (strong sustainability) and enhanced wellbeing and may serve as a broader guide to human activity.
ISSN:1743-0437
1743-0445
DOI:10.1080/17430437.2020.1832470