What Happens to Athletes After the Games?

But have you wondered what happens next once the Olympics and Paralympics end?

At add-victor, we had the privilege of supporting over 60 athletes competing in the 2024 Paris Games. Our role is to celebrate their successes but also prepare to support their next steps, specifically those ready to transition into the corporate world. Let’s dive into what life after the Games looks like for athletes and how they can navigate this significant transition.

 

The Reality of Athletic Careers

 

The duration of an athletic career is briefer compared to any other field. Research shows it often lasts only a decade. Many athletes retire by the age of 34, and in sports like gymnastics, retirement can come even earlier.

The dedication necessary to compete at the highest level is enormous. An elite athlete typically trains for six hours daily, six days each week, all year round! It never stops. This demanding schedule leaves minimal time for exploring any other occupations, pursuing education, or for post-sport career planning.

Preparing for a post-sport career is “comparable to training for the Olympics”

 

Athletes’ Emotional & Identity Challenges

 

Many athletes report experiencing a profound sense of loss and identity crisis upon retiring from sports. David Wetherill, a former GB Table Tennis Paralympian, expresses this feeling: "Table tennis was my passion; it was my life. It was the reason why I get up in the morning. Suddenly when you take that away, you struggle. It was probably the toughest time of my life." Siobhan-Marie O’Connor, former GB Swimmer Olympian echoes this sentiment: "I was always referred to as Siobhan the swimmer […] I am not swimming anymore, so who am I without this whole part of my life?".

“It was probably the toughest time of my life”

The phenomenon of identity foreclosure is like losing a core part of one's identity. When athletes retire, they often face an identity void, grappling with who they are beyond their athletic achievements, their self-concept being so tied to their sport. For years, their lives centre around intensive training and competition, leaving little room for anything else.

 

Preparing for Life After Sports

 

Planning for retirement well in advance is vital for a smoother transition. Studies show that athletes who plan ahead have better cognitive, emotional, and behavioural readiness compared to those who retire unexpectedly or forced due to injury. Paul Wylleman, Professor of Sport Psychology, compares preparing for a post-sport career to "training for the Olympics."

Mobolaji Akiode, a former Nigerian basketball player, exemplifies successful transition planning. During her playing career, she studied accounting at Fordham University and later worked for ESPN. She then founded Hope 4 Girls Africa, a non-profit organisation that empowers young girls through sports and education. She states, "I didn’t want to wait until I was done playing to start thinking about life after basketball. You never know when your career may be over, so I was always ready for ‘Plan B’."

 

Practical Steps to Prepare for Transition

1. Self-assessment: conduct a thorough self-assessment to understand personal interests, strengths, and skills. Arrange a 1-1 consultation call with one of the add-victor experts: contact us or fill out this form.
2. Career exploration: research various career options that align with personal attributes and interests, browse our Knowledge Hub, explore the Sector Spotlights to uncover industry specifics, required skills, Day In The Life Of, and be inspired by successful athlete transition examples on Discover Career Path.
3. Skill development: identify and develop new skills needed for the chosen career path.
4. Job search strategies: learn effective job search techniques, including resume writing, interviewing, and networking. Access the add-victor Knowledge Modules.
5. Continuous learning: engage in lifelong learning and professional development to stay relevant in the chosen field.

All of that whilst balancing your time and energy! Elise Laverick Sherwell, a British rower, advises against rushing the transition. "I think people try and rush it too much. They feel they have to do something, and they panic. Whereas actually, if you give yourself six months to detrain and not be so hyped up and emotional, you can transition more smoothly."

 

The top 10 pieces of advice collected from our athletes

We’ve compiled the best tips from former athletes to help guide and empower you through this transition. You can also check out this inspirational video we put together, showcasing the incredible journeys of our athletes post-retirement.

 

Support Systems & Resources

Effective career transition involves support systems and resources like career coaching, personal development plans, e-learning resources, and structured retirement programmes. At add-victor, we specialise in providing this crucial support, guiding thousands of athletes through their transition. We offer tailored workshops to help athletes prepare for life after sports, ensuring they have the tools and confidence to succeed in new endeavours.

 

The Variety of Career Paths after Sports

 

From becoming CEOs to leading sustainability initiatives, the potential for athletes post-retirement knows no limit. At add-victor, we proudly support athletes in finding fulfilling roles across a wide range of sectors, including Tech, Finance, Real Estate, and Insurance; from relationship to strategic management positions, or creative industries like Marketing and Media.

The employers we work with span both global organisations and fast-growing SMEs, across the UK and beyond. We collaborate exclusively with those who truly understand the unique potential history, and values athletes bring, building a community where athletes can continue to grow and thrive in their new careers.

 

Real-life add-victor Success Stories

Highlighting successful transitions can provide inspiration and practical insights for other athletes:

🌟 Shauna Mullin: Former Olympic beach volleyball player, now Head of Digital Products at M&G, and balancing motherhood with four daughters - read more

🌟 David Wetherill: Table Tennis Paralympian turned Project Manager at Babcock- read more

🌟 Marija Mirkovic: Australian Tennis to Investment Banker at Citigroup - read more

🌟 Mark Odejobi: Pro Rugby Union Player to Sustainable Investment at BlackRock - read more 

🌟 Nicole Rajicova: Olympian Ice skater to Investment Banking in NY - read more

🌟 Tim Prendergast: Paralympian Gold Medallist to Inspirational Speaker & Wellness Coach at Santander UK - read more  

In the words of Serena Williams herself: “I have never liked the word retirement. It doesn’t feel like a modern word to me. I’ve been thinking of this as a transition … Maybe the best word to describe what I’m up to is evolution. I’m here to tell you that I’m evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me.” This is an opportunity to focus on a new area of personal growth, an evolution into a new stage of life.

 

Conclusion: a New Era of Athlete Preparation

 

NGBs, professional teams and national clubs are increasingly integrating post-game career planning into their training programmes. At add-victor, we have delivered bespoke workshops to athletes, helping them build a foundation for future success. This proactive approach is becoming a standard part of athletic training, ensuring that athletes are not only prepared for competition but also for life beyond the field.

Three crucial themes are highlighted throughout workshop delivery when supporting athlete transitions into a professional career; “Planning an Exit Route Strategy” – exploring timelines, requirements and non-negotiables when it comes to next steps; “Transferable Skills” – understanding the valuable skills developed through lifelong sporting competition and their value to organisations; “CVs, Cover Letters & Interviews” – learning how to effectively communicate these transferable skills to prospective employers in a number of formats.

Life after the Olympics can seem daunting, but with meticulous planning and proper support, athletes can transition successfully into new careers. The skills and discipline gained from years of elite training provide a strong foundation for future endeavours, whether in sports-related roles or entirely new fields. At add-victor, we are dedicated to guiding athletes through this journey, ensuring they have the resources and confidence to thrive in their next chapter.

The journey continues, and the future is bright for those ready to embrace it.