Med idrotten in i kunskapssamhället

Abstract. In Sweden today, a collaboration was formed between the Swedish Sport Confederation and the Swedish upper secondary school education. While this process was taking place, the Swedish Sport Confederation also tried to collaborate with the Swedish Academy. However, at the time the Academy did not have any involvement with the former. The purpose of the study was to research when and how the Swedish Sport Confederation created a collaboration with the Swedish Education Systems both on a National and Local level. I have also done a research on both the Knowledge Society and Elite sport talents to find out if Elite sport will be affected in any way because of the existence of Knowledge Society, and also the reactions of the sports talents if any. My final pursuit was also to find out if the Knowledge Society can bring about a quick change to this silent conflict between the Swedish Sport Confederation and the Swedish Academy. For my study, I have used two different theories. One of the first sociological theories, which were applied with sports, was the reflection theory, and I wonder whether this theory is still applicable in todays society. The other theory was the reproduction theory. This theory originated from the French sociologist Pierre Bourdieus key concepts. I have decided to use Bourdieus key concepts in my study for understanding the battles between the Swedish Sport Confederation and the Swedish Academy. The result of my study shows that sport talents on the local level in Malmoe are in agreement, that it is important to pursue further studies to the academic level, which means that the reflection theory can be used in todays society. Malmoe is one of the fastest growing cities, concerning the Knowledge Society, and therefore its a perfect example to this theory. With regards to the sports battle in the academic field, one can see a similar pattern, which is prevalent in the Swedish Academy, is now being followed by the upper secondary school education. Through projects and agreements, elite sport has managed to position themselves in the academic field, however they are in the periphery of the field. Prestigious universities in Sweden still do not want to be involved with elite sport