engleski

SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF CROATIAN ELITE ATHLETES

The aim of this paper was to discover certain characteristics of top athletes for a better understanding of their career, life and function, and to rid oneself of widespread prejudices and stereotypes about athletes. The sample encompassed 301 athletes (154 F and 147 M), medal winners in top competitions: the Olympic Games, World and European championships, World Cups and European Cups, and the Mediterranean Games from 1992 to 2012. The participants in the survey were those athletes who were available and who willingly joint the survey, including athletes from 39 sports (22 Olympic, 15 non-Olympic and 2 associated). The results: It was established that top athletes have by far higher education than general population ; there are but a few who can make living by competing, hence most athletes have an employment whether or not related to sports. Most athletes who stopped competing engage in sports recreationally, and one third of them are coaches. Research has shown that athletes are unhappy with the support by the state, the alliance and/or their club. Most believe that they received too little support and have invested in sports more than their sport has given to them.

top level sport, socio-demographic characteristic, Croatian athlete

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