Final answer:
Sports anthropology, a branch of social studies, explores how the cultural and societal context influences the formation of athlete identity. It examines the intersection of sports with human experience and cultural phenomena, such as national pride and human rights movements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sociological theory that focuses on the formation of athlete identity is rooted in the interdisciplinary field of sports anthropology. Anthropologists understand sports as a form of cultural performance, where the identity of an athlete is defined within the cultural and societal context. The formation of athlete identities can be related to various factors such as the societal roles expected of athletes, the representation of athletes within the media, cultural symbols associated with sports, and the integration of sports in societal movements for human rights and cultural evolution. Moreover, sports anthropology takes into account the deep intertwining of sports with human experience. Athletes become representatives of cultural phenomena, as seen in aspects like team uniforms or the Olympic Games, where sports not only serve as a stage for exceptional talent but also as a platform for national pride. Such a lens allows for a greater understanding of how local and global cultural narratives sculpt the identity of athletes as well as the culture of sports itself.