Investment patterns in the careers of elite athletes in East and West Germany

Some components of the former GDR sport were conserved or relaunched in East Germany after German reunification. They exhibited large costs, but not equivalent outcomes. This study assessed the effectiveness vs. efficiency orientation of the investment patterns in individual athletic careers one decade after reunification based on questionnaires from 695 national squad members. The Eastern athletes specialised earlier in one sport, participated less in other sports, performed much more specialised training during youth and adulthood, and used athlete services more intensively. They attained greater early success during youth, but not greater senior success. Characteristics of the training career and athlete support did not distinguish more and less successful Eastern athletes. Among Western athletes, more successful careers were characterised by a larger variability of involvement in various sports and a rather decelerated athletic development during youth. The economic inefficiency at the collective level of many sport organisations is apparently mirrored in lower efficiency of investment at the individual level of Eastern athletic careers. In contrast, Western world-class careers were characterised by a stronger orientation towards efficiency. The findings are discussed with regard to path dependence and functionality at the individual and collective level.