Life Priorities of Volunteers of Mega Sport Events in the BRICS Countries

Abstract

The article is devoted to the participants of volunteer programs of major sporting events that were implemented in the BRICS countries. The main attention in the text is given to the life priorities of volunteers, their idea of happiness. The empirical basis of the article is an online survey of volunteers who have experience of participating in programs to work with volunteers at major sporting events in Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS countries). The survey was conducted from January to March 2022. 2,638 respondents took part in the study. Based on the results of a survey of volunteers, we determined that volunteers are more likely to set goals in life. Also, volunteers participating in major sporting events tend to make plans for the distant and near future. The most frequently mentioned priorities in life among the volunteers were: family; health; helping those in need; education and selfdevelopment. At the same time, more than half of the volunteers consider themselves unconditionally happy people, and consider their loved ones happy. For volunteers, often inner feelings are more important for understanding happiness. About half of the volunteers participating in major sporting events from the BRICS countries would like to devote more time to volunteering in the next three years.