Developing a model of macro indicators affecting the international successes of elite female athletes

The aim of the present study was to develop a model of macro-indicators affecting the international success of elite female athletes. The research method was qualitative and data-driven. The statistical population of the present study is experts (specialist professors, heads of federations and athletes) in the field of women's sports. For sampling, the snowdrop sampling method was used to conduct in-depth and semi-structured interviews. The research tool was an interview, which was conducted with 17 people. The validity of the research tool (interview) was confirmed by the interviewees and then by expert professors, and the intra-subject agreement method was used to measure reliability, which according to this method, the reliability value was 0.84. In order to analyze the data, the grounded theory method and Max Quda software version 20 were used. The findings of this study showed that the macro-indicators affecting the international success of elite female athletes include: economic indicators (financial support and economic security, development of infrastructure and sports equipment, preparation for international competitions, job creation and media coverage); social indicators (positive attitude, education and awareness, equal rights and gender justice and women's participation in the sports structure); cultural indicators (culturization, role modeling, fair competition and national identity and collective pride) and political indicators (supportive policies, monitoring and transparency, national role-playing and sports diplomacy). Based on the findings of this study, we conclude that macro-policies and effective measures should be taken to improve the status of professional and elite women's sports.