Unexpected Retirement

Which athlete thinks about having to retire at the beginning of their career? At this time, the goal is development, success, and the fulfilment of a sports career. However, an unexpected injury or deterioration of health or financial background can also lead to the end of a career. Forced retirements are also born from the circumstance when an athlete (despite wishing to continue) is no longer able to produce the expected performance due to age and cannot compete in the young field. Additionally, a poor relationship with coaches or potential political or sports association problems are also listed as reasons for forced retirement, as revealed in Penny Werthner and Terry Orlick's 1986 research.

Voluntarily Leaving the Field

Sports psychologists Werthner and Orlick conducted research with the participation of 28 Canadian Olympians, in which they sought the reasons for the closure of sports careers. In addition to the aforementioned forced reasons, the athletes surveyed also mentioned voluntary, planned reasons:

• They focused on a new, different activity instead of sports,

• They had already achieved their goals set in sports,

• They wanted to be with and support their friends and families.

How Do Retirement and Grief Relate?

According to experts, the same stages can be observed during the closure of a sports career as in grief processing, as both involve the experience of loss. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, a Swiss psychiatrist, described the stages of the grief reaction as follows:

• denial (The athlete tries to prove they are still needed.)

• controlled stage (Official measures take place, but the athlete does not emotionally realise the fact of closure.)

• anger, rage (The athlete feels anger and rage towards the sport and associated athletes.)

• bargaining (Restarting the sport, likely with weaker performance. E.g., Maradona, Michael Schumacher)

• depression

• acceptance or resignation (Closing the sports career, seeking a new life goal.)

Downturn After Career End

In a 1968 study, former water polo player Miro Mihovilović examined how the end of a career affects elite athletes. Out of 44 footballers, 95% were unexpectedly faced with the end of their sports career, as they had not considered this possibility. It was also revealed that the more unexpected the career closure occurred, the more negatively the footballers experienced it. Moreover, those footballers who did not have a plan B or another qualification found it even harder to accept retirement. It can be observed that the forced type of career closure is the most taxing for competitive athletes, as they are not mentally prepared (unexpected injury, unexpected worsening of financial situation), and they have no influence over their situation (age, being sidelined). Furthermore, the strength of the athletic identity can also hinder a smooth transition: the more an athlete clings to their former life built around elite sports, the harder the closure is for them. Experts suggest that in such cases, the emergence of alcoholism, acute depression, eating disorders, and a decrease in self-esteem are not excluded.

Happy Ending of a Sports Career

A sports career can end not only in crisis but also in peace. It is easier for an athlete to achieve closure if the decision is voluntary, well-planned, and supported by new goals. Career closure is also simpler if the athlete possesses a high level of coping mechanisms, but external help also counts a lot. At the end of a career, social support from family, friends, coaches, and teammates plays a significant role. For some athletes, it is a relief to keep in contact with their former clubs later, either as public figures or supporting the team with their professional experience. Prevention should not be neglected either: coaches and sports associations need to mentally prepare athletes in time for potential or impending retirement. Additionally, consulting a sports psychologist can be a solution, who can help with developing the necessary coping skills, an identity separate from the sport, emotional expression, reflection, and stress management.

Conclusion

The closure of a sports career can be mentally and emotionally challenging for an athlete. It largely depends on whether the farewell from the sport was forced or voluntary and planned. The stages of career closure coincide with the grief reaction described by Kübler-Ross, as the athlete goes through a loss experience. At the end of a career, a crisis or peace follows, depending, for example, on the reason for retirement and whether the athlete has other plans. The closure of a career can be eased, among other things, by social support, preparation, and the help of sports psychologists.