By Lazaros Ioannou, APC Sports Consulting Limited
Out of 10,500 athletes at the 2016 Olympics, only a few hundred won medals. Even fewer secured major sponsorships that could support them after retirement. Most Olympic athletes receive little funding during their careers and must find regular jobs after retiring from sports.
Leaving the Sports Life
The toughest moment often comes after the spotlight fades. Athletes suddenly face an uncertain future. Many have spent years training, focused solely on one goal—competing at the Olympics. Leaving that structured life can feel overwhelming.
Lack of Instant Feedback
Another challenge is the lack of instant feedback. In sports, progress is measured daily—speed, strength, and performance are constantly tracked. In the workforce, goals are less clear and feedback can take months or years. The change can be disorienting.
Post-Olympic Depression
Many athletes also face post-Olympic depression. After achieving their life’s biggest goal, they may struggle with purpose. This emotional low can lead to clinical depression. The first step is recognizing the signs and seeking professional help. This isn’t easy, especially for athletes trained to push through pain and adversity.
The best way to cope and prevent this emotional crash is to prepare early. Athletes need to build an identity beyond sports. The more ready they are, the easier the transition becomes.
Many athletes retire young. Gymnasts, for example, often retire by age 23. That leaves plenty of time to go back to school or build a new career. Coaching and public speaking are popular paths, but both have limits. Coaching jobs are scarce, and speaking gigs can fade as newer medalists take the stage.
To thrive after sport, athletes must use the traits they built during their careers. Many companies value the qualities Olympic athletes bring—discipline, resilience, teamwork, and the ability to learn from failure. These traits can set them apart in any job market.
Life after sports for Olympic Athletes can be difficult and full of challenges. Olympic Athletes need to discover who they are outside of sport, and through proper planning, preparation and thinking must find the post sports career which will make them happy and which aligns with their dreams and goals. If you need any advice in designing your life after sport you can get in touch with us at [email protected].