Perception and Application of Olympic Values among Multi-Level Athletes in Sri Lanka

Olympic Values reflect the core essence of Olympism, the philosophical base of the Olympic Movement, and act as an integral component to discover and practice the holistic nature of developing humankind. The study is aimed at discovering the perception and application of three Core Olympic Values: Respect, Excellence and Friendship, among multi-level athletes in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, the study highlights the most practiced Olympic values in each level and focuses on the challenges of the practice and application of Core Olympic values in Sri Lanka. An extensive literature review assessment was carried out to build up the conceptual framework for the study.

A qualitative research design with semi-structured in-depth interviews was conducted to examine the perception and application of Core Olympic Values. The study population was identified from Olympic, National, University and School-level athletes in Sri Lanka. Ten athletes were selected from each level (N=40) by using purposive sampling method. In addition to the biographical narrative, a research method was used to highlight the athletes` personal observation towards the practice of values.

The results revealed that the most perceptive and applicable value practiced by these athletes is Friendship. Though they practice Friendship, Excellence and Respect, most athletes didn’t know these values as Olympic values. Most of them have little knowledge about the values. In particular, the school-level athletes did not know these values. The recommendation of the study is to hold more programmes, workshops and activities about Olympic values for the athletes, coaches and other relevant staff. It is recommended to start this educational programme from the school level to obtain better results.

Keywords: application, core Olympic values, multi-level athletes, perception