Abstract

The aim of the research was to provide up-to-date knowledge concerning ways of socialization for sport, motives leading top-level athletes and barriers connected with practising sport at the highest level. The research was based on the method of written interview. Interviews were carried out in July and August 2005 during training camps of national teams. The research embraced 272 Polish representatives of 13 Olympic sports. It proved that the family, peer groups and teachers of physical education were most often mentioned as social institutions influencing choices of sports career. The choice of the practised discipline is in 22.8 percent of cases perceived as a realization of earlier dreams, but almost equally often as a result of rational decisions. Among the researched athletes, motives of autotelic character – such as personal satisfaction from sports activity – dominated, at least in the realm of declarations. Athletes pointed out the lack of successes, risk of losing health and the coach's unfairness as the main discouraging factors in the sports career. Postulations of changes needed to improve sport results were increasing the money they are paid, increasing the number of training camps and competitions and improving the quality or increasing the quantity of sports equipment and facilities. Verf.-Referat