Athlete career excellence in times of war: meaning-construction via social media amidst Olympic Games transition

Purpose: This study explored how Israeli Olympic athletes constructed meaning en route to the Paris 2024 Olympics amid the Gaza–Israel war following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. War is conceptualized as a longitudinal, unpredictable, and negative career change event that coincided with the Olympic Games transition. Methodology: Thematic analysis of 318 Instagram posts by 12 athletes (6 medallists, 6 non-medallists) was performed across three phases: pre-Games, during, and post-Games. Findings: Seven themes were identified. Initially, athletes aimed to raise global awareness, counter misinformation, and express solidarity and empathy for victims. As the Games approached, themes of patriotism and national pride emerged, with athletes framing their participation as symbolic of Israeli resilience. During and after the Games, they dedicated achievements to Israel and expressed gratitude to supporters. Practical Implications: The research emphasizes the need to understand athletes’ meaning-making in extreme circumstances, suggesting that sports organizations develop support systems for athletes in crisis. Contribution: This study offers valuable insights into how elite athletes navigate psychological challenges during national conflict, underscoring the role of sports in fostering national resilience. It also contributes to the literature on athletes’ social media use. Originality: This study is among the few to explore Olympic athletes’ construction of meaning during a war conflict.