Abstract
This article is based on the results of studies conducted among fencers, members of the national team in the yars 1962—1972. Using the method of interviews infor mation was obtained about the course of the careers of 120 respondents and the social factors determining these careers. It was found that the sports careers of the studied population was of a dynamic nature. An analysis of the careers indicated new tend encies. One of the features of the changes is the increasingly younger age at which they start their activity as competitors. This fact brings in its wake a number of new social problems; there can be noticed a decrease in the number of social roles played by the competitors, a new model of a career has made its appearance, to which more spheres of the competitor's activity are being subordinated. Early specialization favours greater identification with the sport environment and is one of the factors determining the professional preferences of the respondents.
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