Email this article Place of Early Development and Elite Swimming Performance in Indonesia: Evidence from the National Championship
Abstract
Place of Early Development (PED) has emerged as an important factor influencing athlete development and competitive success across various sports. In Indonesia, substantial disparities in sports infrastructure and development resources between regions may contribute to unequal opportunities for talent development, particularly in elite swimming. This study aimed to examine the role of PED in shaping elite swimming performance using evidence from the 2026 Indonesian Aquatic National Championship. A retrospective observational design was employed using championship performance records from youth and senior swimmers. Athletes’ developmental environments were classified according to their province of origin and regional Sports Development Index (SDI), while performance was standardized using World Aquatics points to enable comparisons across events and categories. The findings revealed a concentration of medal achievements and top performances among swimmers originating from provinces characterized by higher levels of sports development. Provinces located on Java Island accounted for the majority of championship success, reflecting the unequal distribution of facilities, coaching resources, and competitive opportunities. Nevertheless, several high-performing athletes emerged from lower-SDI regions, indicating that elite performance can also develop outside traditional sport development centers. These findings highlight the importance of developmental environments in shaping athlete progression and competitive outcomes. The study suggests that strengthening regional sport development systems and expanding access to high-quality training environments may contribute to a more equitable and sustainable pathway for elite swimming development in Indonesia.
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.17509/jko-upi.v18i1.100952
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