The athlete as widget: how exploitation explains elite sport

Abstract

The subject position of elite athletes has become increasingly clear as sport becomes more commercialized and spectacularised. Elite athletes are exploited and relatively power-less in their chosen fields of endeavour because of the reserve army of athletes attempting to play at the elite level. The exploitation continues with the burden of injury and medical intervention falling upon them as well as sole responsibility for their performance-enhancing drug status. I critique the figurationalist view of the elite athlete in this essay and demonstrate that an exploitation model, combined with aspects of subject-based research gives a better understanding of the athlete position. I posit that elite athletes are essentially interchangeable, a widget in the commercial machine that is modern sport. I further support my argument by demonstrating the poor success rate for aspiring elite athletes and the financial and social cost that once elite athletes pay for a chance to compete at the top tier of competition. As sport is increasingly commercialized, we must draw upon critiques and theoretical explanations that explore capitalism and apply them rigorously to sport.