Publication: Gençlik olimpiyat oyunları’nın Türk sporcular üzerindeki etkilerinin incelenmesi
Abstract
Amaç: Uluslararası Olimpiyat Komitesi (IOC), 2010 yılından bu yana Gençlik Olimpiyat Oyunları (GOO) adıyla 15-18 yaş arası yetenekli sporcuları hedefleyen ve yarışmaların yanı sıra Olimpik Eğitim kapsayan yeni bir etkinlik düzenlemektedir. Bu çalışmada, 2010 yılından bu yana gerçekleştirilen GOO’nun eğitim, sosyal, kültürel ve sportif etkilerini bu etkinliğe katılan Türk sporcular üzerinde incelemek amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu çalışmada, 2010 ve 2020 yılları arasında farklı GOO’ya katılan 184 Türk sporcu arasından 11 Türk sporcu (3 faal Olimpik sporcu, 4 üst düzey seviyede spor kariyerine devam eden ve 4 emekli/ sporu bırakmış sporcu) amaçlı ve kartopu örneklem yöntemi kullanılarak seçilmiştir. Veriler, yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu ile toplanmış ve veri analizi için tümdengelim tematik analiz kullanılmıştır. Bulgular: GOO deneyimi, bazı sporcular için son derece önemli bir “geçiş noktası” olmuştur. GOO’da madalya kazanmak ve dünyanın en iyi sporcularıyla mücadele etmek, sporcuların sportif kariyerlerine devam etme kararı almalarında önemli bir etken olmuştur. GOO’da madalya kazanmanın bazı sporcularda rehavete yol açabileceği ve elde edilen başarılar nedeniyle spor çevresinin (antrenörlerinin ve yöneticilerin) fiziksel ve psikolojik performans beklentilerini aşırı derecede yükseltmeleri nedeniyle bir kriz geçişine neden olabileceği bulunmuştur. GOO’da sportif hedeflere ulaşamamanın (madalya alamamak, vb.) sporcuların spor kariyerini sonlandırma kararlarına doğrudan etkisi olabileceği bulgularına ulaşılmıştır. Olimpik sporcular ile sporcular arasında kurulan etkileşimler, birçok sporcunun sportif kariyerlerine devam etme konusunda teşvik edici bir unsur olarak görülmüş ve farklı görevlerde (antrenör, vb.) olsa da onların Olimpik Hareket içinde kalma arzusunu artırmıştır. Sonuç: GOO, birçok sporcu için önemli bir sportif kariyer geçiş noktası olmuştur. GOO, bazı sporcuların sportif kariyerlerine devam etmeleri için bir kaynak teşkil ederken, bazı sporcuların kriz geçişi yaşamalarına ve bazı sporcuların ise spor kariyerlerini sonlandırma kararlarına önemli ölçüde etki etmiştir.
Objective: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has been organizing a new event, named the Youth Olympic Games (YOG), since 2010, specifically designed for talented athletes aged 15-18. This event goes beyond mere competition, incorporating the Olympic Education Program. This study seeks to explore the educational, social, cultural, and athletic impacts of the YOG on Turkish athletes who have participated in this event since its inception in 2010. Material and Methods: In this study, 11 Turkish athletes (including 3 active Olympic athletes, 4 continuing their sports careers at an elite level, and 4 retired/ discontinued athletes) were selected using purposive and snowball sampling methods from among 184 Turkish athletes who participated in different Youth Olympic Games between 2010 and 2020. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview form, and deductive thematic analysis was employed for data analysis. Results: The YOG experience has been a crucial “turning point” for some athletes. Achieving medals and competing against the world's best athletes have motivated certain individuals to continue their athletic careers. However, it has been found that winning medals at the Youth Olympic Games can lead to complacency in some athletes. Additionally, the heightened physical and psychological performance expectations from the sports community (including coaches and managers) due to their achievements can trigger a crisis transition. Findings suggest that the inability to achieve sporting goals (such as winning medals) at the YOG could directly influence athletes' decisions to end their sports careers. The interactions established between Olympic athletes and other athletes have been seen as an encouraging factor for many to continue their athletic careers, even in different roles (such as coaches), as it enhances their desire to remain involved in the Olympic Movement. Conclusion: The YOG have served as a critical juncture in the athletic careers of many athletes. While for some, they have been a source of motivation to continue their athletic journey, for others, they have led to crises, and for some, they have played a pivotal role in their decision to end their athletic careers.
Objective: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has been organizing a new event, named the Youth Olympic Games (YOG), since 2010, specifically designed for talented athletes aged 15-18. This event goes beyond mere competition, incorporating the Olympic Education Program. This study seeks to explore the educational, social, cultural, and athletic impacts of the YOG on Turkish athletes who have participated in this event since its inception in 2010. Material and Methods: In this study, 11 Turkish athletes (including 3 active Olympic athletes, 4 continuing their sports careers at an elite level, and 4 retired/ discontinued athletes) were selected using purposive and snowball sampling methods from among 184 Turkish athletes who participated in different Youth Olympic Games between 2010 and 2020. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview form, and deductive thematic analysis was employed for data analysis. Results: The YOG experience has been a crucial “turning point” for some athletes. Achieving medals and competing against the world's best athletes have motivated certain individuals to continue their athletic careers. However, it has been found that winning medals at the Youth Olympic Games can lead to complacency in some athletes. Additionally, the heightened physical and psychological performance expectations from the sports community (including coaches and managers) due to their achievements can trigger a crisis transition. Findings suggest that the inability to achieve sporting goals (such as winning medals) at the YOG could directly influence athletes' decisions to end their sports careers. The interactions established between Olympic athletes and other athletes have been seen as an encouraging factor for many to continue their athletic careers, even in different roles (such as coaches), as it enhances their desire to remain involved in the Olympic Movement. Conclusion: The YOG have served as a critical juncture in the athletic careers of many athletes. While for some, they have been a source of motivation to continue their athletic journey, for others, they have led to crises, and for some, they have played a pivotal role in their decision to end their athletic careers.