Final answer:
Athletes at elite competition levels come from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds, often with a significant number coming from poorer and working-class locations due to factors such as the viability of sports as a pathway to success and the influence of local topographies on sports practiced.
Step-by-step explanation:
At the level of elite competition, particularly in individual sports and many Olympic sports, athletes often tend to come from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds. However, maps of per capita production of NFL and NBA players demonstrate a significant over-representation of players from poor and working-class locations. Sports such as basketball can attract athletes in large cities due to the limited space required and lower costs associated with the sport, leading to a disproportionate number of professional players from these demographics.
Similarly, sports participation can also be influenced by geography. For example, countries with certain topographical features, like Austria and Switzerland with the Alps, tend to dominate in sports such as downhill skiing, where the environment naturally supports the development of athletes in these sports.
The term 'elite culture' in sports can now refer to highly successful athletes who have the visibility and financial means that contrast their often humble origins. The success stories from various sports provide motivation and a pathway for others who aim to achieve similar success, despite the challenges posed by socioeconomic status or geographic location.