State Awards for Representatives of High Performance (Elite) Sport

The article examines the historical evolution of state awards for achievements in high performance (elite) sport in the 20th - 21st centuries. The authors use the definition of a state award proposed by A.I. Goncharov: “the highest form of rewarding citizens for services to the state and society, normatively established by the head of state or the highest body of state power”. The analysis of scientific literature and official documents made it possible to identify two main traditions associated with the studied phaleronyms and honorary titles: French-African and Soviet-centric.