| dc.description.abstract | The career transition out of sport is a major life changing process for elite athletes, during which lead many athletes to experience difficulties. In recent decades, many sport organizations in the world have therefore increased their focus on the issue. However, it still remains unclear how various actors should be involved and collaborate to support elite athletes´ transition out of sport.
Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine which stakeholders are involved in the career transition process of elite athletes in Norway, and what their contributions are. The study aims to help create more attention on the career transition process of elite athletes in Norway, and provide recommendations to sport organizations regarding their opportunities to better assist elite athletes through this process.
This study is based on a qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a total of ten informants, five representatives from five different sport organizations, and with five athletes from three different National Federations. Stakeholder theory and value co-creation were applied as the theoretical framework.
The findings show that elite athletes, Olympiatoppen, Idrettens Karriere Senter and the National Federations are involved in the career transition process in Norway. Athletes mostly prepare for life after sport by studying during their sport career. Elite athletes perceives to have the main responsibility for preparing for life after sport themselves, while sports organizations are responsible for facilitating the athletes throughout this process. Furthermore, the sport organizations focus and contributions to the athletes´ career transition process varies from organization to organization. The findings show that Olympiatoppen and Idrettens Karriere Senter contributes to the career transition process by focusing on holistic development, offering various support and assistance system and facilitating the athletes´ combination of sport and studies, while the national federation mainly contribute to the process by referring their athletes to the services offered by Olympiatoppen. | en_US |
