Response:

Elite sportspeople may perceive themselves as “entitled” due to several interconnected factors:

1. High Expectations and Success: Constant success can create a sense of entitlement. When athletes consistently achieve top results, they may start to believe that they deserve special treatment or resources.
2. Media Attention: Elite athletes often receive significant media coverage, which can enhance their perceived status. This attention may lead them to feel that they are above the norms of typical behavior.
3. Financial Rewards: With the lucrative contracts and sponsorship deals that many elite athletes enjoy, they might develop a sense of entitlement regarding their lifestyle and the privileges that come with their status.
4. Culture of Winning: Many sports environments foster a mentality of superiority and individualism. Athletes are often praised for their achievements, which can contribute to a belief that they are deserving of special privileges.
5. Isolation and Pressure: The isolation that can accompany high-level training and competition may lead athletes to feel that they are set apart from ordinary life, reinforcing a sense of entitlement.
6. Support Systems: Athletes are often surrounded by agents, coaches, and support staff who cater to their needs, which can foster a reliance on these privileges and an expectation for continual support.

Understanding these factors can illuminate why some elite athletes may develop a sense of entitlement, even if it isn’t true across the board for all athletes.