On the determinants of sporting success – A note on the Olympic Games

Eike Emrich (), Markus Klein (), Werner Pitsch () and Christian Pierdzioch
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Eike Emrich: Saarland University
Markus Klein: Saarland University
Werner Pitsch: Saarland University

Economics Bulletin, 2012, vol. 32, issue 3, 1890-1901

Abstract: We analyzed whether, in democratic open societies, economic and demographic conditions allow sporting success at the aggregate level to be predicted. Theoretical considerations led to the hypothesis that the population size and gross domestic product (GDP) per capita should be important determinants of sporting success. Using regression analysis, we analyzed the influence of population size and GDP per capita on sporting success in Olympic Summer and Winter Games (1992 – 2010). Regarding the Olympic summer games, we found that the most powerful predictor is population size. In contrast, GDP per capita seems to play an important role as a predictor of sporting success with respect to the Olympic winter games.

Keywords: Olympic Games; sporting success; population size; GDP per capita; political economy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012-07-12
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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