Explaining Elite Athletes’ Corruption Behaviours: A Case Study of Doping and Match Fixing

Description

Through a qualitative application of the theory of planned behaviour, the research aimed to increase understanding of elite athletes’ reasons behind intentional and actual doping and match fixing. Adopting a descriptive phenomenological approach, media interviews, admission statements and testimonies from dopers and match fixers were analysed using deductive content analysis. The final sample comprised 21 elite athlete match fixers from 15 nations and 33 elite athlete dopers from 10 nations. Whilst all three theory of planned behaviour variables were found to influence doping, only attitudinal and subjective normative beliefs influenced match fixing. Despite some similarities between doping and match fixing themes, differences existed between the primary corruption motives and unique doping attitudes emerged. By identifying the reasons behind elite athletes' engagement in corruption the results can be used to better inform the design of preventative doping and match fixing strategies within elite sport.

Period	23 Mar 2023
Event title	14th Annual Conference of the PSA Sport & Politics Specialist Group
Event type	Conference
Degree of Recognition	International