Dr. Sc.Phil. R.G. Ardashev^{1, 2}
M.N. Korelin^1
1East Siberian Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia
²Irkutsk State University, Irkutsk

Keywords: patriotism, sports, citizenship, sports achievements.

Introduction. Currently, patriotism is becoming an additional condition or stimulus for the development of even greater sports skills and, as a consequence, the formation of a sustainable strategy for sports achievements among young athletes [1-3].

Objective of the study. To assess the influence of patriotism on the quality and level of sports achievements of young athletes.

Methodology and organization of the study. The survey, conducted in 2025, involved 300 young athletes from Krasnoyarsk and Irkutsk. Of these, 150 were girls and 150 were boys aged 18 to 25 years. Respondents were selected randomly through sports federations.

Results of the study and discussion. Of the athletes surveyed, 87% consider themselves patriots, while the remaining 13% have no patriotic feelings and would like to migrate and play sports in another country. At the same time, patriotism is not uniform among young athletes. We were able to identify three types.

The first type relies on cognitive knowledge about patriotism as a social phenomenon (48%). For them, patriotic ideas are a way to find support and backing among fans, coaches, and team members. Most young athletes of this type do not achieve maximum sports achievements (the level of Candidate Master of Sports and stable performance in competitions – without breakthroughs or surprises). For them, patriotism is rather a rational choice, as it helps them to be "one of their own" in any environment and to defend their interests.

The second type relies on affective states associated with patriotism (vivid expression of emotions: tears during the national anthem, singing patriotic songs, emotionally defending the country's interests, and everything that attracts maximum public attention to athletes) – 32%. These are athletes who work maximally for the public, running their own blogs or social media pages.

The third type relies on behavioral guidelines as proof of patriotism. Talking about patriotism and being a patriot are two very different things for them. Their achievements in sports are an example of the realization of patriotic aspirations (they train not for themselves, but for the greatness of the country). They use sports traditions and proven training methods of past masters to ensure that the sports performance of Russian athletes does not disgrace the past merits of the older sports generation. They see their future in coaching, because by educating and training young athletes, they can prove their patriotism in practice.

Conclusions. The study indicates a clear connection between patriotism and sports achievements. More significant sports achievements are observed among those athletes who are ready to prove their attitude toward their homeland through real actions and consider their successes half the merit of the country that made their development as athletes possible.

Literature

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. Sport i patriotizm molodezhi [Sports and patriotism of youth]. Teoriya i praktika fizicheskoy kultury. 2025. No. 2. P. 30.
3. Polyushkevich O.A. Patriotizm i sport v prosotsialnoy aktivnosti molodezhi [Patriotism and sport in prosocial activity of youth]. Teoriya i praktika fizicheskoy kultury. 2025. No. 10. P. 41.