Olympism through the Eyes of Coaches: Metaphorical Texture and Colors of Sport

Abstract

This study aims to explore coaches' metaphorical perceptions of the concept of “Olympism.” The research sample consists of 170 coaches (86 male, 84 female) from various sports disciplines, working in both public and private organizations in Turkey during the 2023-2024 academic year. Data were collected using a “metaphor form,” where participants were prompted to complete the sentence: “Olympism is like ...; because …”. Content analysis was employed to examine the responses, leading to the development of categories and themes. The metaphors were organized into five categories, each comprising eleven themes. The most prominent category was ‘values of sport,’ followed by ‘abstract concepts and spiritual development’ and ‘universal values.’. The most frequent metaphors included life, Olympiad, summit, success, harmony, spirit, and sport. These findings indicate that coaches view sport as both a physical and a spiritual journey, emphasizing that Olympism supports athletes' personal and professional development. In the category of “Sport and Ethical Competition,” coaches highlighted that Olympism encompasses ethical values and social contributions in addition to achieving success. In the “Abstract Concepts and Spiritual Development” category, coaches described Olympism as a spiritual journey and a philosophy of life. Meanwhile, in the “Universal Values” category, they conveyed that sport serves as a means of fostering global unity and understanding. Overall, the study highlights that metaphors are an effective means of expressing the complex and multifaceted nature of Olympism.