Author
Tina Šoln
But let’s set statistics aside, as numerous articles online already highlight the achievements of our outstanding ski jumpers and the impressive family statistics of the Prevc siblings. Instead, I would like to focus on the psychological aspect of sporting successes and failures from the perspective of fans and, consequently, the media.
We don’t have to look far back to analyze great successes and failures—the recently concluded ski jumping season provided both triumphs and setbacks, particularly for the men’s team, which struggled at the start of the season. If you recall, media headlines at that time questioned the abilities of our ski jumpers and coaching staff, with many predicting the end of Robert Hrgota’s tenure as head coach. As for the comments under articles and on social media, I’d rather not even go there. Instead, I will discuss the psychology of the crowd, the power of collective emotions, and the role of the media in shaping perceptions of sporting (mis)fortunes.
When a team or an athlete wins, we, as a nation, identify with them. Success is perceived as a collective achievement because humans are programmed to seek belonging. Sports are one of the few things that can unite a nation so quickly and intensely, regardless of political, religious, or other differences. This has been evident in the past during victories by our basketball team, the remarkable feats of our cyclists, or Olympic medal wins.
On the other hand, failure triggers a different response. Studies show that when sports teams lose, people often experience frustration and anger, which they then project onto the team, the coach, or even fellow fans. Psychology recognizes the concept of BIRGing (basking in reflected glory), where people associate themselves with a group’s success, and CORFing (cutting off reflected failure), where they distance themselves from losers to avoid association with failure. This emotional dynamic is closely tied to our sense of self-worth—when we perceive success as collective, our personal confidence rises; conversely, failure can bring disappointment or even a feeling of personal defeat.
When a team or an individual wins, we, as a nation, identify with them. We perceive success as a collective achievement because humans are inherently programmed to seek belonging. Sports are one of the few things that can unite a nation so quickly and intensely, regardless of political, religious, or other beliefs.
Neuroscientific research shows that people react to the successes and failures of others through mirror neurons, which allow us to feel joy or pain alongside athletes. This explains why a team’s victory or loss can significantly impact our mood, even shaping how we experience our day. When Slovenian athletes achieve outstanding results, our brain releases "happiness hormones" like dopamine and serotonin, leading to feelings of euphoria and connection.
However, this mechanism works both ways—failures can increase cortisol levels, the stress hormone, which drives impulsive and negative reactions, such as anger, criticism, or even scapegoating. This is why sports defeats often spark heated debates on social media, with disappointment sometimes escalating into polarization.
A lot. The media plays a crucial role in shaping the collective emotional response to sporting events. The way they report on events can fuel pride and euphoria or contribute to spreading frustration and criticism. When headlines are sensationalized and full of superlatives, they amplify the perception of athletes’ greatness and, consequently, national pride. On the other hand, failures often lead to blame-seeking and negative narratives, influencing public perception of individuals and teams.
This doesn’t mean that the media should ignore failures or avoid criticism altogether; the key question is how criticism is framed. A constructive approach—highlighting challenges and providing analysis without unnecessary sensationalism—can contribute to a more balanced perception of sports. After all, ups and downs are an inherent part of every athletic journey—for both competitors and fans.
So let’s all—fans, chair commentators, and, most importantly, journalists and content creators who significantly shape public opinion—take pride in our athletes when they succeed but also show patience and empathy when things don’t go according to their plans. In the end, failures are what forge true champions—and when we support them in tough times, we will be even prouder when they soar high again.
The media play a crucial role in shaping the collective emotional response to sporting events. Through their reporting, they can foster pride and euphoria or contribute to the spread of frustration and criticism. When headlines are bombastic and filled with superlatives, they reinforce the perception of athletes’ greatness and, consequently, the nation’s. On the other hand, failures often lead to blame-seeking and negative narratives, which can influence the perception of individuals and teams.