INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC ACADEMY 7th JOINT - IOA

moral traditional and moral social values. In both groups, political
success and belief in God are far less valued.
The highest difference in fair play between sportsmen and
sportswomen is seen at the factor ‘correctness’, but even so, it is not
statistically important. In both groups it is the most distinctive factor
of sportsmanship (4,24/4,17) together with respect for competitors and
rules (4,10/4,05). The less expressed factor is 'win at all costs' and the
irresponsibility factor. Slight differences between sexes (regarding
attitude, the way of thinking) in elite sport can confirm what many
researches have observed in the past few years: a trend that because of
special life demands of elite sport, sportswomen are becoming
increasingly similar to sportsmen (especially in the way of thinking).
However, individual items reveal some differences, for example the
one that sportsmen think that the difference in money earned between
male and female sports is justified. In addition, many sportsmen still
support differentiation between male and female sports or the idea that
a certain sport is unsuitable for both sexes. Olympic sportsmen are
more prepared to defend their rights, even physically. However, they
also help co-athletes more than Olympic sportswomen. Physical
assertiveness is already culturally conditioned and therefore this kind
of behaviour is more acceptable and even wished-for with men,
whereas with women it is quite the opposite. Although sportswomen
express themselves through physical readiness and participation, these
are limited only for specific areas (e.g. sport) and are less included in
their everyday life, especially if they have an aggressive quality.
- Comparison by sports discipline (team/ individual)
We have to emphasize that this comparison was made exclusively
on sportsmen, because Slovenian collective sportswomen did not
compete at these Olympic games. The following values are more
important for Slovenian handball athletes than for athletes of
individual sports: long life, good relationship with a partner, good
sexual relationships, security, peace and rest. All sportsmen highly
appraise: honesty, love for children, family happiness, friendship,
love, freedom and health. Both groups also share their opinion about
less important values: belief in God, enjoyment in art and mostly
political success.
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