European Cultures in Sport

Sport occupies a key position in the cultural profile of a nation. This study forms a comparative guide to sport across Europe, in terms of its relative political and social status, its development, and the ways in which it has contributed to national achievement. Covering sport in ten major European states, each native contributor to the study presents : A brief historical sports successes, Olympic positions and sporting traditions; Organisation of its structure and financing; Elite talent is spotted, nurtured and remunerated,sports academies,national qualification schemes; The role of science and medicine in sport; Summary and conclusions. Following this format through each chapter, the book serves as a valuable guide to students of Sports Studies, enabling comparison of sport across culturally diverse regions of Germany,Russia,UK,Spain,Denmark,France,Italy,Belgium,Lithuania and Slovenia.