Impact analysis of ado programme on spanish olympic results

Abstract

In this article, Spanish sport policies and their influence on performance in the Olympic Games are analysed, focusing on the Olympic athlete support programme (ADO Programme, as per the acronym in Spanish). The distribution of ADO scholarships and the evolution of Spanish Olympic participation under this support programme to specialisation and professionalisation of national elite sport is described. The study continues with the analysis of Spanish athletes’ performance in the different Olympic Games editions during the programme implementation. Special attention was paid to the period 2005-2016, emphasising the relationship between the global economic support through scholarships from ADO Programme and the results obtained. In conclusion, it has been proved that ADO Programme has been one of the key factors to sport transformation in Spain and successful international results since Barcelona 1992.