Beyond the Pyramid Metaphor: Unravelling the Complex Interplay between Grassroots Sports and Elite Sports

Abstract

The pyramid metaphor, depicting sports as a hierarchical structure with grassroots at the base and elite sports at the apex, has long shaped sports policies. Rooted in Pierre de Coubertin’s late nineteenth-century assertions, this metaphor suggests a reciprocal relationship: a broad grassroots base fuels elite success (trickle-up), while elite achievements inspire mass participation (trickle-down). This chapter examines the evolving dynamics between grassroots and elite sports, questioning the pyramid’s validity. It explores the conditions under which trickle-up and trickle-down effects occur, considering empirical studies based on theoretical and methodological developments in this field. Findings suggest these effects exist but are limited, context-dependent, and shaped by multiple factors. Ultimately, the chapter advocates a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between grassroots and elite sports, moving beyond the pyramid metaphor. Instead, it calls for integrated policies that acknowledge diverse pathways through which sports participation and elite performance can develop and the conditions under which they can mutually reinforce each other, paving the way for a more realistic research and policy approach.