Sport Economics, Marketing and Tourism
Hasan Gholami Ghajari; Hamidreza Goharrostami
Abstract
Objective: The present study aimed to analyze the stability-efficiency of competitiveness in elite sports of the Islamic Republic of Iran at the Summer Olympic Games.Methodology: This applied, descriptive-analytical study used a quantitative approach. The research population included all elite sports ...
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Objective: The present study aimed to analyze the stability-efficiency of competitiveness in elite sports of the Islamic Republic of Iran at the Summer Olympic Games.Methodology: This applied, descriptive-analytical study used a quantitative approach. The research population included all elite sports of Iran that won at least one medal in the Summer Olympic Games 2000-2024. Sampling was conducted census of medal-winning disciplines. Data were extracted from the official source, the Hall of Fame of the National Olympic Committee and the official website of the International Olympic Committee. Then, using researcher-developed metrics, the efficiency and stability of medal achievement were calculated, and a four-quadrant matrix was constructed to analyze the competitiveness of elite sports. The face and content validity of the researcher-developed metrics were confirmed by professors of sports management. Reliability was assessed and verified through a test-retest procedure.Results: Wrestling, Karate, and Taekwondo were positioned in the strategic elite competitiveness quadrant of the Stability-Efficiency matrix. Weightlifting was placed in the low-performing stable competitiveness quadrant, while shooting and athletics were classified under the low-performing unstable competitiveness quadrant.Conclusion: Although Wrestling and Taekwondo are located in the strategic elite competitiveness position, given rival investments, focus should first be on maintaining their current standing, then planning performance improvement in future editions. Karate requires international negotiation to return to the Olympics. Weightlifting is stable but low-performing; efficiency must improve to ensure stability does not decline in future editions. Shooting and athletics require fundamental revision of elite sport development programs to enhance competitiveness.
