ABSTRACT

Competitive sport is today about winning and training to win. Many athletes are professionals, with careers managed by teams of specialist staff working towards the ultimate goal of world-class, medal-winning performances.

This entry-level text offers new students a comprehensive introduction to the phenomenon of the pursuit of excellence in sport, covering the key issues and talking points including:

  • the history and tradition of sporting excellence
  • comparisons of elite high-performance sport programmes in Australia, the USA, East Germany and France
  • the historical, social, political and economic impacts of sporting excellence in the UK
  • current issues and debates, including drugs in sport
  • the future for high-performance sport.

With a clear framework for understanding and exploring key issues, questions for discussion, websites and suggestions for further reading, In Pursuit of Excellence is an ideal introduction for AS, A Level and undergradute students.

chapter |2 pages

INTRODUCTION

chapter 1|8 pages

SPORTING EXCELLENCE: The concept

chapter 5|8 pages

AUSTRALIA: WHY ARE THEY WINNING?

chapter 6|6 pages

VIVE LA FRANCE!

chapter 7|8 pages

USA: NO. 1

chapter 8|10 pages

THE GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

chapter 10|8 pages

Win at all costs? The art of gamesmanship

chapter 12|8 pages

WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS

chapter 13|6 pages

THE CURRENT VIEW