PhD, Associate Professor O.A. Polyushkevich
Irkutsk State University, Irkutsk

Keywords: prosocial rhetoric, sports, social activity, sports competitions.

Introduction. Sport and patriotism are closely related, as they allow us to form the social, territorial, and professional identity of participating athletes, as well as the social solidarity of spectators and fans [1]. Prosocial rhetoric, supported by patriotic meanings and symbols, enhances this effect [2]. 
The purpose of the study is to identify the features of prosocial rhetoric at sports competitions and to show the mechanisms of influence on the social identity and solidarity of all participants in these events.
The survey involved 500 young people aged 18 to 35, including 55% of girls and 45% of boys (250 respondents are athletes and 250 are spectators of sports competitions). The study was carried out during major Russian competitions during 2024-2025.
The results of the study and their discussion As a result of farrowing, we found out that both athletes and spectators of competitions pay attention to the general rhetoric of sports competitions in three main directions. The first concerns only competitions and the technical characteristics of team games or individual competitions – 28% of athletes and 24% of the competition audience. The second is related to sports topics (corruption, income level of athletes or coaches, personal life, etc.) - 25% of athletes and 30% of the competition audience. The third is politics, the interests of the state, the role of athletes and spectators of competitions, as well as fans in shaping and reinforcing political positions, ideological interests and other tools of geostrategic development –40% of athletes and 39% of spectators of competitions. 7% are occupied by other topics of the issues discussed during sports competitions.
An interesting point in this process is the fact that prosocial rhetoric is represented in every direction. In the first – by 25%, in the second – by 35%, in the third – by 60%. All participants noted its impact on feelings of pride in athletes and the country (40% affective effect), thoughts about the greatness of the state and the importance of sports in a prestigious country (35% cognitive effect), actions aimed at personal athletic achievements (behavioral strategies – 25%) both athletes and spectators, fans and fans.
Conclusions Prosocial rhetoric is manifested at sports competitions in varying degrees of manifestation. It emphasizes the role of the state in the possibilities of organizing sports achievements, strengthens the feelings of patriotism among both athletes and spectators. Therefore, pro-social rhetoric needed to be purposefully shaped, regulated and determined so that the level of patriotism among all those involved in sports and passionate about sports would increase.

References

1. Ardashev R.G., Korelin M.N. Patriotizm sredi studentov-sportsmenov [Patriotism among student athletes]. Teoriya i praktika fizicheskoy kultury. 2025. No. 10. P. 20.
2. Baev P.A. Sotsialno-patrioticheskaya ritorika na sportivnykh meropriyatiyakh [Social and patriotic rhetoric at sports events]. Teoriya i praktika fizicheskoy kultury. 2025. No. 9. P. 20.