The internal and external factors influencing talent development of athletic talent among Saudi Arabia’s twice exceptional elite athletes: A comprehensive study

Abstract

This study investigated the internal and environmental factors contributing to talent development among twice-exceptional elite athletes. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews with athletes diagnosed with a disability who achieved notable sports accomplishments at local, regional, or international levels. The sample included 21 athletes aged 18–56 years. Analysis revealed ten key factors that shaped the personalities of elite athletes, fostering exceptional performance. These factors were categorized into five internal components and five environmental motivations. Additionally, the study identified optimal timing for leveraging motivational factors to sustain talent development. The findings were discussed in relation to the Mega Model hypotheses, highlighting the alignment of these factors with success indicators among twice-exceptional athletes.