The financing of women’s high performance sports in the Basque Country

[ES] La financiación del deporte de alto rendimiento es un reto en la actualidad, especialmente para las deportistas. Ellas acceden a becas y patrocinios, pero con mayor dificultad que sus compañeros. En instituciones como el Consejo Superior de Deporte se elaboran programas específicos como el de mujer y deporte, pero no se revisa su efectividad. A través de 18 entrevistas y tres focus group se ha estudiado la financiación de las carreras deportivas de varias deportistas de la CAPV. Se ha dado voz a las deportistas para conocer sus impresiones sobre el apoyo económico recibido a lo largo de sus carreras deportivas. Algunos resultados de este estudio de caso muestran que las deportistas lamentan el escaso y tardío apoyo recibido a través de becas y sponsors y ponen de manifiesto la necesidad de un mayor soporte económico en sus carreras deportivas. Concluyen que urge caminar hacia la profesionalización en sus carreras deportivas para mejorar su eficacia.[EN] The financing of high-performance sports is a challenge today, especially for female athletes. They access scholarships and sponsorships, yet with more difficulties than their male peers. In institutions such as the Higher Sports Council, specific programs, such as that of women and sports, are developed. However, their effectiveness is not reviewed. Through 18 interviews and three discussion groups, the financing of the sports careers of several athletes from the Basque Country has been studied. Sportswomen have been given a voice to know their impressions of financial support or lack thereof throughout their sports careers. Some of the results from this study show that athletes claim to have little and late support, received through scholarships and sponsors, and highlight the need for greater financial support in their sports careers. They conclude that it is urgent to move towards professionalization in their sports careers to improve their effectiveness