From Ambition to Achievement
Parental Support in U23 Biathlon Athletes’ Career Path to the Elite Level
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7146/sjsep.v8i.150179Keywords:
Biathlon, Athletic Development, Early Career, Parental Role, Parental SupportAbstract
Parents play a crucial role in athletes’ careers and athletic development. This study employed a qualitative method using semi-structured in-depth interviews with four talented Norwegian junior biathletes and one parent each. The study is aimed to gain comprehensive insights into the interplay between parental support and the athletes’ development. The data analysis generated four central themes. The findings confirm the essential role of parents’ practical support, such as transportation, equipment, and financial contributions, in the developmental phase. This support, significant in the early stages, continues throughout the athletes’ careers, but the need for it gradually reduces as athletes become independent and other support systems become more crucial. Over time, the shift in ‘the parents’ role necessitates developing other support networks in athletes’ athletic development, where the magnitude of parents’ later involvement are related to providing emotional support. Parents’ continuous support and focus remain crucial despite the growing importance of other support systems. Notably, fathers maintain a significant leadership role, particularly concerning equipment and sponsorship, suggesting their enduring influence even during mastery. This study contributes to the understanding of parental involvement in athletic development by highlighting the evolving nature of parental roles, particularly emphasizing the sustained leadership of fathers in equipment and sponsorship, and underscoring the necessity of emotional support as athletes transition to independence.
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