Education through sport – Shaping role models for the future

Project partners Olympic Committee of Slovenia – Association of Sports Federations, National Olympic Committee of Portugal, Croatian Olympic Academy and University of Ljubljana - Faculty of Sport implemented the project Education through sport – Shaping role models for the future which priority according to the application was to tackle cross-border threats to the integrity of sport, such as doping, match-fixing and violence, as well as all kinds of intolerance and discrimination. Partners met at transnational meetings and discuss on problems, issues, and threats to young athletes. Partners share their best practice on supporting athletes and safeguarding the integrity of sport. Partners predicted some solutions regarding the fight against irregularity in sport and focus especially on awareness and promotion of sporting behavior and social responsibility. A professional athlete’s career has its own unique characteristics, which need to be addressed accordingly. Here we came across a lot of dangers that can be avoided. During their careers, athletes are not aware or are indifferent to the new skills off the "playing field". Consequently, at the end of their sporting or already during their sporting careers a vast majority of athletes is faced with financial problems which can lead to doping abuse, match-fixing and other problems and at this point it is practically too late to tackle such situations. Subsequently we have come to the conclusion that one of the key reasons for financial problems of athletes is financial illiteracy. In order to avoid financial difficulties and bankruptcy and for general development of athletes, partners prepared training materials, implemented workshops for athletes and establish the application for self-evaluation of athletes on financial literacy. Partners were also very active on promotion and dissemination and together published more than 50 news in printed media, digital media, social media, present the project at the events and informed the athletes on project outcomes. The project feedback from participating athletes was very good. Therefore, we all believe we are going to be able to continue with the activities and fight against irregularity in sport using the developed materials, knowledge and open application for self-evaluation of athletes.