O18: Talent Management in Sport

Talent finding in sports can not only lead to winning teams but also ensure individuals continue to participate, improve their talents, and take preventive measures against injuries. Athletic talent often develops as the result of morphological, physiological, or psychological characteristics. Many of these characteristics are inherited, and genetics have important implications for talent. Talent finding and training leads to the appropriate management and support for the individuals’ diverse body types, physiology, medical history, and mental health that contribute greatly to athletic performance. Although these services pose expenses on sports organizations, they would be cost-effective in the long-term in order to prevent injuries and appropriately care for athletes. Moreover, with the proper identification and management of individual talents, sports organizations can unlock the true potential of every athlete.