How sport has evolved.
- The age of top athletes has decreased; in women’s tennis there are 15 Under 22 among the top 100.
- The number of States promoting their athletes has greatly increased, from countries of the former Soviet Union to Arab countries to those on other Continents.
- For many families, sports careers have become a realistic opportunity for their children to pursue.
- There is no longer spontaneous sport run by young people independently but has been totally privatized on most Continents.
- In many sports from the age of 14/15 years, frequent and selective competitive activity begins.
- Worldwide, the number of competitions has increased dramatically, and people compete 11 months of the year.
- By age 16, athletes, girls and boys, are also training 25 hours a week for at least 45 weeks.
- Most athletes follow a program not only of technical-tactical but also of specific and advanced mental and physical training.
- Women’s sports are gaining similar relevance to men’s sports, and mixed teams have been introduced in the Olympics, where gender parity has almost been achieved.
- This type of sports development results in athletes experiencing stress and often debilitating psychological problems generated by always having to show their value. At the same time it is a source of frustration for those who are excluded from this climb to success.
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