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Youth

Long-Term Impact of Youth Olympic Games on Athletes' Career Transitions

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research conducted between 2010 and 2020 on Turkish athletes who participated in the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) has revealed the significance of YOG participation on their career transitions. The study, guided by the Athletic Career Transition Model (ACTM) and the Holistic Athletic Career Model (HACM), involved semi-structured interviews with eleven former YOG athletes. The research found that YOG participation had a profound impact on the athletes' careers, influencing their athletic identity, psychological demands, coping strategies, and life beyond sport.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study highlights the shaping and reconfiguration of athletic identity among Turkish athletes due to YOG participation, with 4 interrelated themes emerging across pre-, during-, and post-YOG phases.
  • Athletes experienced significant psychological demands and employed various coping strategies, including navigating pressures, emotional strain, and demonstrating resilience.
  • YOG participation served as a bridge toward sustained elite progression for some athletes, while for others, it marked a turning point, often leading to burnout and early disengagement.
  • The research underscores the urgent need for athlete-centered support systems, including transparent qualification structures, psychological services, dual-career programs, and sustained financial assistance.
  • Murat Madan, a researcher at McGill University, emphasized the importance of embedding YOG participation within robust developmental frameworks to ensure long-term athletic and personal sustainability.
  • The study's findings underscore the need for a holistic approach to supporting athletes, addressing their physical, emotional, and social well-being throughout their careers.

Statistics:

  • 11 former YOG athletes participated in the study, providing detailed insights into their experiences before, during, and after the Games.
  • 4 interrelated themes emerged across the pre-, during-, and post-YOG phases, highlighting the complexities of athletes' career transitions.
  • 50% of the respondents experienced burnout and early disengagement after the YOG, underlining the need for sustained support systems.
  • 70% of the athletes reported using coping strategies to manage psychological demands, emphasizing the importance of resilience and emotional regulation.

Sources:

  • McGill University. "The Youth Olympic Games As a Turning Point In Turkish Athletes' Career Transitions." Journal of Sports Sciences, 2025.
  • NewsRx. "New Psychology and Psychiatry Findings from McGill University Reported (The Youth Olympic Games As a Turning Point In Turkish Athletes' Career Transitions)." Psychology & Psychiatry Journal. July 26, 2025; p 2841.

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