Positive coaching strategies (e.g., athlete - centred, autonomy - supportive, caring, transformational) have been highly regarded for their holistic approaches in creating supportive sport environments, enhancing motivation, and supporting athlete well - being. Despite calls for more positive approaches to athlete development, there is mounting evidence that high - performance coaches do not embrace these coaching styles, opting for controlling or emotionally abusive coaching styles. While various researchers have argued that a positive sports environment can lead to high - performance outcomes, coaches remain hesitant to change due to a perceived lack of solid evidence directly linking positive coaching methods to improved performance. This study addresses this gap by exploring international medal - winning athletes` and coaches` perspectives of achieving performance results in positive sport environments. Using a constructivist approach, semi - structured interviews were conducted with 24 Olympic and Paralympic athletes (n = 13) and coaches (n = 11) who had won a medal at an Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American Games, or World Championship. Results suggest that medals can be obtained in positive sport environments. Participants reported positive sport experiences also increased positive emotions, motivation, resiliency, feelings of being cared for and valued, personal development, sport - life balance, and staying in sport longer. All of these outcomes further contributed to increased performance results. These findings provide empirical evidence to support previous assertions that positive sport experiences can contribute to high - performance success.
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