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With the 2024 Paris Olympics just around the corner, the debate over what makes a country successful in sports has resurfaced. Econometric models use variables such as population, GDP per capita, past performance and location that have a high degree of predictability. The combination of a prosperous economy and a large population provides significant advantages in the field of sports.
The most prosperous countries allocate large resources to promotion, provision of infrastructure and use of cutting-edge technology. This wealth also means that people have more leisure time and a large pool of available talent.
The increase in population not only expands the number of athletes, but also cultivates the internal market for sponsorship and professional competitions. This synergy creates a fertile sports ecosystem: investment in sports development, a diverse and rich talent pool, and solid economic and popular support.
However, these indicators, while relevant, do not give a comprehensive picture of a country’s sporting potential. In recent years, the concept of social progress has become increasingly important as an important complement to purely economic measures.
Social progress assesses countries’ social and environmental performance along three main dimensions: basic human needs, foundations of well-being and opportunities. These include indicators such as access to clean water, information and communications, as well as nutrition, education, individual rights and freedom of choice.
Physical activity as part of the curriculum
Social progress contributes to sport in many ways. It starts with the most basic aspects, such as hygiene, housing and food, which lay the minimum conditions for a healthy and active life.
Education Incorporating physical activity and sports into the school curriculum serves as the basis for a solid sports culture. Good health services and adequate nutrition programs are essential for optimal development of athletes. Individual freedom and gender equality significantly expand the talent pool. A tolerant and inclusive society that values immigrants can enrich its cultural diversity and expand its sports talent pool.
This integrated approach to social progress has created a favorable ecosystem for sports development, allowing countries of varying sizes and economic resources to shine on the global stage. Relatively small economies and populations have stood out in surprising ways: Jamaica in speed tests; Kenya and Ethiopia in long-distance events; New Zealand in football, rowing and cycling; and Norway in winter sports. Slovenia has had success in cycling, football and basketball, while Finland has had success in athletics, motorsports and hockey On ice.
Think Bigger
Costa Rica, despite its limited economy and population, has shown that social progress can be a catalyst for sporting success. Athletes such as swimmers Silvia and Claudia Pol, soccer player Keylor Navas, football player Paulo Cesar Wanchope and cyclist André Amador have achieved extraordinary success in elite world competitions. Their victories are due to discipline and personal effort, but also to the support of their families and the private sector, all of which is supported by the social progress platform that the country has built over decades.
If Costa Rica is to continue and improve its sports development trajectory, it must maintain and strengthen the elements of social progress. The deterioration of some indicators in recent years, especially in basic services such as education and health, tolerance and equal opportunities, is a challenge that must be urgently addressed.
At the sports level, policies are needed to integrate sports into education systems, make strategic investments in disciplines where there is a competitive advantage, and expand local sports practices. The involvement of private companies is crucial and must be encouraged through incentives that encourage investment in infrastructure, activities, athletes, and specific disciplines.
The combination of strategies will optimize the impact of limited resources and create a sustainable and vibrant sports ecosystem. By diversifying sources of support and promoting collaboration between the public and private sectors, the country will be able to develop a strong and adaptable sports model capable of developing local talent and fostering an inclusive and high-performance sports culture.
In summary, GDP does not determine a country’s fortunes in sports. By focusing on innovative policies, promoting cross-sector collaboration, and leveraging its unique strengths, Costa Rica will achieve ambitious public policy goals, including high-level sports development.
Creativity, determination and socially progressive strategies adapted to local conditions translated into success and challenged the notion that only wealthy, large countries have the ability to excel on the global sporting stage.
Víctor Umaña is an agricultural economist. He completed postgraduate studies in international political economy at the University of Bern and ETH Zurich in Switzerland. He is an international consultant in the field of international trade, competitiveness and sustainable development.
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