The path to an Olympic podium rarely follows a straight line. A holistic approach, prioritizing physical and mental health alongside enjoyment, is crucial for transforming a young talent into a sustainable elite athlete. This is according to a large-scale study by the VUB.
With the opening of the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar today (October 30, 2026), the question of how to optimally support the elite sports talent of the future is immediately in the spotlight.
In an extensive review study, researcher Kari Descheemaeker compiled findings from 60 scientific reviews on talent identification and development. The results indicate that effective youth sports policy is a complex interplay between the individual child, the specific sport, and the social environment. The principle of 'fun, fitness, and fundamentals' forms the basis, with inclusivity and room for growth at one's own pace being essential to prevent early dropout or burnout. Early specialization, in fact, can be counterproductive in some sports. Furthermore, guiding young athletes requires specific pedagogical and emotional skills from coaches and close coordination with their environment, such as parents and school.
“"Inclusivity in the sports support system is crucial; children must be given the space to grow at their own pace. Our research emphasizes that a successful elite athlete at the senior level is, first and foremost, a youth athlete who remains physically and mentally healthy and does not lose their enjoyment of the sport. A coach who excels with adults does not automatically possess the necessary skills for young people. This research serves as a scientifically based guideline for policymakers to deploy resources more targetedly and intelligently."
The findings redefine youth sports policy by moving away from a rigid focus on rapid performance and early specialization. They offer policymakers and sports federations a well-founded framework to organize talent development more sustainably, healthily, and effectively for the long term.
The research was conducted by Kari Descheemaeker, Simon Shibli, Juanita R. Weissensteiner, and Veerle De Bosscher from the Sports Policy factors Leading to International Sporting Success (SPLISS) research group at the VUB. The study is published in the Journal of Sports Sciences (DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2025.2569267).
The practical application of this study will be the focus of the panel discussion 'How Belgium Builds Champions' on Saturday, October 31, 2026 (1:00 PM - 1:45 PM) at the SportsNEXT: FTI Festival in the Main Arena. More information about the FTI Festival can be found at https://www.ftifestival.be/sportsnext.
