This study was to explore the factors influencing Olympic performance positively and negatively. In order to achieve this purpose, 60 athletes, who participated in 2012 London Olympic games, responded on open-ended questionnaire. In addition, 10 athletes, who won medals in London Olympic, responded on in-depth interview. Collected data were analyzed by deductive content analysis. The results of this study were as follows: firstly, the factors influencing Olympic performance positively were psychological preparation, strengthening training, physical conditioning, support from significant others, material support, cheering of Korean people, self respect as a Korean national athlete, different game environment, team cohesion, sharing Olympic experience, and support of sports science. Secondly, the factors influencing Olympic performance negatively were psychological pressure, excessive expectation, negative interpersonal relationship, condition decline, overtraining, unstable environment, insufficient facilitation, decrease in performance level, and especially ineffective village room placement and media management during Olympic period. Thirdly, the differences between Olympic games and other world competitions , perceived by athletes were competition scale, psychological attitude, training support, systematic preparation, and benefits from winning medals. The results of this study will give fundamental information in developing a scale which can measure Olympic preparation level and in developing Olympic preparation guideline. Therefore, it will help athletes ,who participate Olympic for the first time or athletes who did not perform well in pre-participated Olympic games, to understand and apply in training the factors influencing Olympic performance and help them to perform better in Olympic games.
