Inequity in the health of professional athletes in Colombia:

cases of cycling, boxing and tennis.

Abstract

This article analyzes the inequities in the health of athletes in Colombia by comparing three sports. Aim. To describe the main health inequities of professional cycling, boxing and tennis athletes in Colombia based on the analysis of life stories. Materials and methods. This qualitative study obtained the ethnosociological approach to analyze the life trajectories of nine athletes in three professional sports. The analysis of the information was carried out using the Spanish social determinants of health approach. Results. Regardless of the sport analyzed, inequalities related to structural determinants linked to the socioeconomic and political context (sports policies, culture and social values) and power relations (social class, gender and race/ethnicity) are evident; as well as in the intermediate determinants related to material resources (economic and emotional support,
relationship with the coach) and working conditions (employment contract, working hours and autonomy). Conclusion. This study describes how sport produces and reproduces social inequities and makes invisible the daily practices that harm the health of athletes. Showing the lack of implementation of public policies that contribute to the development of professional sports, which although it has been promoted as an occupation that contributes to improving health, generates unfair and avoidable differences in health.