Elite Athletes End-Of-Career Transition Case Study

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Elite athletes’ end-of-career transition 1. Introduction It is believed that athletes have to overcome various obstacles when they transit their post-sport career. First, athletes are required to reorganize their lifestyle because sports only serve for recreational purposes after their retirement. Second, athletes should start a new career, reducing their athletic identity and develop new one. Last, their social network has to be renewed, finding friends outside sport and starting their own family, parenthood, house-holding duties (Stamb & Wylleman, 2014). A high and exclusive athletic identity may cause them to suffer “identity crisis”, leading to health-related problems like depression and neurosis, downward social mobility and alcohol or drug abuse…show more content…
People may suggest that an athlete cannot totally concentrate in high level of sport if they continue their studies. This may prevent them from developing relationships, inducing time management problems, accumulating pressure and de-motivation to perform at both scholastic and athletic level. 3. Recommendation 3.1 Combining elite sport and education An article published in Cogent Psychology pointed that, European Commission agreed combining elite sport and education to create a dual career pathway in 2012. This can render adolescent athletes vulnerable to anxiety, stress overload, overtraining, burnout and various transition obstacles. Athletes can be guaranteed with qualifications and survival skills if this is implemented in China’s elite system. 3.2 Education and life skills development integrated into performance plan A report published by the United States Olympic Committee in 2012, life skills, education and career are integrated in athlete’s performance. Many American athletes hold degrees or are studying at universities. China can try this to give athletes a sense of confidence on their future, alleviating their stress and
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