Polyushkevich O.A.
Irkutsk State University

Keywords: prosocial practices, sports, sports volunteers, social activity.

Introduction. Modern sports competitions are an attractive platform for the implementation of youth prosocial activity [1, 2]. This is realized in volunteer activities at sports competitions.
The purpose of the study is to determine the influence of prosocial activity of sports competition volunteers on their level of patriotism.
Research methodology and organization. The survey involved 600 young people aged 18 to 35, with 55% being female and 45% male. Of the respondents, 300 were sports volunteers, while 300 were not involved in volunteer activities during sports competitions. The study was conducted during major Russian competitions in 2024 and 2025. The research method was a survey.
The results of the study and their discussion. Volunteers of sports competitions are more patriotic than those students who are not engaged in pro-social activities at sports competitions. Volunteer students believe that sports itself is an example and a guide for the development of the state. The more athletes win in various competitions, the more prestigious and significant the country is, as it can create conditions for athletes to train (47%). Students who are not sports volunteers believe that achievements in sports are not related to the state, but are a personal accomplishment. Personal achievements should not be perceived through the achievements of the country (58%).
Volunteers believe that the spectacle of sports competitions increases the level of patriotism not only among athletes, but also among fans and ordinary citizens who do not specifically follow sports competitions, but rejoice in victories when others talk about them – 36%. Students who are not volunteers consider the spectacle of sports competitions to be an advertising move by sponsors rather than ideological propaganda – 42%.
Sports volunteers consider athletes to be patriots, otherwise they would simply not participate in competitions (97%). Students who are not involved in volunteer activities at sports competitions consider only 37% of athletes to be patriots, while 56% of athletes consider themselves to be engaged and victorious individuals for personal interests and ambitions that have nothing to do with the interests of the state.
It is interesting that the students themselves who volunteer at sports events consider themselves to be 100% patriots, otherwise they would not be involved in this activity at all. Among those who are not involved in pro-social activities at sports events, only 35% consider themselves to be patriots, 32% have not thought about it, and 33% do not consider themselves to be patriots.
Conclusions. Pro-social activity at sports competitions increases the level of patriotism among young people. Sports volunteers not only see the achievements of athletes, but they are also involved in the emotions of fans, collaborate with organizers to implement competitions, and much more. All of this creates a sense of pride in the country and joy for being able to participate in organizing significant and iconic events in the country's history.
Non-volunteer students view sports achievements as a business or a social strategy for social elevators, while sports volunteers view them as a way to strengthen state ideology and sustainable positions at the international level.

References

1. Ardashev, R. G. (2021). Sub"yektivnye predstavleniya o znachimosti sportivnykh dostizheniy molodezhi sredi gruppovykh i individual'nykh vidov sporta [Subjective ideas about importance of youth sports achievements in group and individual sports]. Teoriya i Praktika Fizicheskoy Kultury, (11), 29. 
2. Baev, P. A. (2025). Sport i patriotizm molodezhi [Sports and patriotism of youth]. Teoriya i Praktika Fizicheskoy Kultury, (2), 30.