Research Article

Elite Athlete Suicide Around The World

Volume: 9 Number: 2 October 30, 2026
TR EN

Elite Athlete Suicide Around The World

Abstract

Suicide represents a significant mental and public health issue that has persisted from the past to the present. Elite athletes face a wide range of individual and environmental factors that can lead to psychological problems and, ultimately, suicide. The aim of this study is to analyze cases of suicide among athletes, taking into account variables such as gender, sport discipline, age, and reasons for suicide. The study methodology involved internet searches, media reports, and obituaries. A total of 256 athletes who committed suicide were identified. It was determined that the majority of these athletes were male (81.2%), while the rate among female athletes (18.8%) was lower. Regarding sport disciplines, footballers exhibited the highest suicide rate (18.8%), followed by athletes in winter sports (14.5%) and cycling (10.2%). An analysis of the athletes' continents of origin revealed that European athletes had the highest suicide rate (55.3%). The primary factors contributing to suicide risk among athletes were identified as depression, psychological distress, injury, illness, cancer diagnosis, family problems, burnout syndrome, chronic diseases, social isolation, and substance use.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Sports Science and Exercise (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

October 30, 2026

Submission Date

September 3, 2026

Acceptance Date

October 29, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 2

APA
Gülle, M., Şeker, R., Köse, B., Semerci, A., Köse, A., & Yıldız, Ö. (2026). Elite Athlete Suicide Around The World. Türk Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 9(2), 168-176. https://izlik.org/JA53TE64AG
AMA
1.Gülle M, Şeker R, Köse B, Semerci A, Köse A, Yıldız Ö. Elite Athlete Suicide Around The World. Turk J Sport Sci. 2026;9(2):168-176. https://izlik.org/JA53TE64AG
Chicago
Gülle, Mahmut, Ramazan Şeker, Bereket Köse, Abdullah Semerci, Ayşegül Köse, and Özer Yıldız. 2026. “Elite Athlete Suicide Around The World”. Türk Spor Bilimleri Dergisi 9 (2): 168-76. https://izlik.org/JA53TE64AG.
EndNote
Gülle M, Şeker R, Köse B, Semerci A, Köse A, Yıldız Ö (October 1, 2026) Elite Athlete Suicide Around The World. Türk Spor Bilimleri Dergisi 9 2 168–176.
IEEE
[1]M. Gülle, R. Şeker, B. Köse, A. Semerci, A. Köse, and Ö. Yıldız, “Elite Athlete Suicide Around The World”, Turk J Sport Sci, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 168–176, Oct. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA53TE64AG
ISNAD
Gülle, Mahmut - Şeker, Ramazan - Köse, Bereket - Semerci, Abdullah - Köse, Ayşegül - Yıldız, Özer. “Elite Athlete Suicide Around The World”. Türk Spor Bilimleri Dergisi 9/2 (October 1, 2026): 168-176. https://izlik.org/JA53TE64AG.
JAMA
1.Gülle M, Şeker R, Köse B, Semerci A, Köse A, Yıldız Ö. Elite Athlete Suicide Around The World. Turk J Sport Sci. 2026;9:168–176.
MLA
Gülle, Mahmut, et al. “Elite Athlete Suicide Around The World”. Türk Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 9, no. 2, Oct. 2026, pp. 168-76, https://izlik.org/JA53TE64AG.
Vancouver
1.Mahmut Gülle, Ramazan Şeker, Bereket Köse, Abdullah Semerci, Ayşegül Köse, Özer Yıldız. Elite Athlete Suicide Around The World. Turk J Sport Sci [Internet]. 2026 Oct. 1;9(2):168-76. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA53TE64AG

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