LEBANESE PE UNDERGRADUATE’S ATTITUDES AND PERCEPTIONS TOWARDS THE OLYMPIC BRAND AND THE RELATION WITH OLYMPIC EDUCATION

Abstract

This study investigates Lebanese PE undergraduate’s attitudes and perceptions towards the Olympic brand and its relation with Olympic Education. Qualitative study was used to gather and analyze data. Stratified random sampling was used for the research. The aimed population was PE undergraduates from different parts of Lebanon. None of the participants have been going through Olympic Education project or something related to it. The study consisted of a qualitative research with the semi-structure interviews completed with 12 participants, 4 females and 8 males aged 20 to 22 years. Also, interviewees are asked questions to better understand their knowledge towards the Olympic Movement. Findings of this study indicate that 1) Lebanese PE undergraduates gain most of their knowledge and understanding of the Olympic Games through informal pedagogical means, whereas their knowledge and understanding of the Olympics is not specific connection with Olympism or the Olympic ideals, but they are familiar with general human values and the Olympic Games; 2) Lebanese PE undergraduates place higher meaning to the Olympic brand as the attributes that they strongly associated and found most important reflect rather the Olympic values and fundamental principles of Olympism than characteristics of major sport event.