We talked to famous athletes, who shone in the 1990s, of how parents ruin the careers of young athletes with their unrealistic expectations and by setting goals too high. Brigita Bukovec, a former hurdler, says the over-interference of parents is a reason why many young talents quickly give up: "When I trained there were no parents at practice. I rode to practice on a bike all my life. Of course, I understand that parents need to drive their children to practice, but then you just drop your child off and you’re not supposed to be there yourself. If you go to a match, you go to cheer and not yell at your child or referee."
Parents yell at referees at kids’ competitions
The unsuitable conduct, which can be detected more and more in youth sports, was also recently mentioned by sports psychologist Matej Tušak. "It happens that parents also start arguing or even fighting, while their children try play within the rules of fair play. But how can a child do that, when he sees fathers arguing on the stands?"

Brigita Bukovec has similar experience, as her sons (aged 12 and 14) train football. "What’s happening is horrible. I occasionally go see a match, but I would rather not have to go anymore. The way parents act is a catastrophe. They yell at children and referees. I can’t understand how a grown man is unable to realize the harm he causes with such actions."