Elite Sports Development

Scholarly attention to elite sports development has traditionally focused on established sporting powers. However, there is an increasing recognition that emerging nations offer unique insights into how sport intersects with issues of national identity, political economy, and post-colonial transformation. This chapter presents an in-depth comparative analysis of elite sports development in two prominent, yet distinct, emerging nations: Türkiye and South Africa. Both countries have invested significantly in nurturing and producing elite athletes; however, their approaches are shaped by unique historical, cultural, and geo-political contexts. By critically analysing issues such as centralisation versus decentralisation, transformation efforts, budgetary priorities, political influence, and the role of mega-events, the chapter contributes to a broader understanding of how elite sports systems evolve in emerging contexts. Furthermore, the chapter addresses important critiques regarding the assumption that elite sporting success automatically translates to wider participation and questions the sustainability of win-at-all-costs models under contemporary scrutiny.