Athletic retirement: A cross-national comparison of elite French and Swedish athletes

Description

This article examines how former elite athletes from France and Sweden experience and cope with retirement from sports. It focuses on preconditions for retirement, coping strategies, and the long-term consequences of their transition to post-sport careers. The study highlights both common patterns, such as the benefits of retirement planning and the challenges of identity adjustment, and cultural differences, such as French athletes facing shorter transitions but lower life satisfaction compared to Swedish athletes, who reported longer transitions but greater professional and personal satisfaction. The research underscores the importance of cultural and systemic factors in shaping the retirement experience and offers insights into tailored support for transitioning athletes.