Iron Men: True and Ephemeral in Endurance Sports

Occupation: Associate Professor
Affiliation: Bauman Moscow State Technical University
Address: 5 Baumanskaya 2-ya Str., Moscow 105005, Russian Federation

Journal name

Chelovek

Edition

Volume 34 Issue 2

Pages

118-126

Abstract

This essay examines the social portrait of contemporary iron men and women, i.e., non-elite amateur triathletes. It is questioned the widespread belief in their unique exceptionality as socially successful people and natural-born endurance athletes. It is shown that the commodification of endurance sports (running, cycling, cross-country skiing, and triathlon) led to the division of communities into two generations — the displacing original and the emerging contemporary. The original generation was characterized by a more democratic social composition and more sustained engagement. The contemporary generation prefers symbolic recognition and a shorter commitment to sports. This opens up discussions about enduring and ephemeral matters in sports.

Keywords

running, marathon, triathlon, Ironman, sports, democratization, gentrification, commodification, commercialization, fitness boom, exceptionalism

Received

30.05.2023

Publication date

30.05.2023

Number of characters

6361

Cite

GOST	Adelfinsky A. “Iron” Men: True and Ephemeral in Endurance Sports // Chelovek – 2023. – V. 34. – Issue 2 C. 118-126 [Electronic resource]. URL: https://chelovek-journal.ru/S023620070025539-9-1 (circulation date: 03.05.2024). DOI: 10.31857/S023620070025539-9
MLA	Adelfinsky, Andrey "“Iron” Men: True and Ephemeral in Endurance Sports." Chelovek 34.2 (2023):118-126. DOI: 10.31857/S023620070025539-9
APA	Adelfinsky A. (2023). “Iron” Men: True and Ephemeral in Endurance Sports. Chelovek 34(2), pp.118-126 DOI: 10.31857/S023620070025539-9

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