INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC ACADEMY 7th JOINT - IOA

asic, whereas older athletes also know some old rules, which are not
important any more. On the other hand they are more sensitive to
injustice, regardless of whether it happens to them or to others.
- Comparison regarding experience (years of training)
We divided the group according to the median value (12,37 - years
of training) into two groups. They differ in values: fellowship and
solidarity (higher at athletes with more experience), glory and
admiration (higher at athletes with less experience). Although there
are some tendencies, which may indicate differences between these
two groups (such as a higher factor 'win at all costs' for less
experienced athletes), none of them is statistically important.
However, individual items do show greater impatience to achieve
good results with less experienced athletes, so that they are even
prepared to use forbidden technical equipment (if they are sure they
will not be caught). They would also use a sudden injury of a
competitor for their own benefit. It is also interesting that they know
better where to get forbidden substances (doping) than more
experienced athletes. This is probably a result of the fact that
knowledge is connected with interest. Again, more experienced
athletes show a greater concern for others, they are more sensitive to
injustice, unfairness and they are prepared to do more to erase them.
They are also more self- critical and responsible, they do not hide their
mistakes and faults, but they try to learn by them. As a result of this
thinking, they play to win, however, according to sports spirit and
sports agreements.
- Comparison of experimental and control group
In the Olympic group, greater differences are found concerning
sports discipline and not so much about gender, whereas inside
recreational group differences are greater concerning gender.
Recreational athletes expressed more of a supportive relationship
towards a competitor. They are more prepared to have a high respect
for the opponent (e.g. postpone a competition, lend equipment, wait
that he/she gets ready, help him/ her in times of difficulty regardless
of the result etc). One of the reasons is most certainly that sport has a
different meaning for them than for top athletes. To the latter it
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