Přechod bývalých profesionálních sportovců na pracovní trh

The aim of this bachelor’s thesis is to map the factors that influence the transition of professional athletes into the labour market during their sporting career or after its end. The thesis also seeks to describe the available forms of support that can assist athletes during this process and enhance their employability. The data are collected through qualitative semistructured interviews with former professional athletes from the Czech Republic and their responses are analysed using thematic analysis. The findings indicate that smoother transitions are associated with planned and voluntary retirement, engagement in a dual career, the development of a broader personal identity, and provided support. Conversely, unplanned or involuntary career termination, a narrow athletic identity, and a lack of personal development outside sport are identified as risk factors. It has been shown that the available form of support for athletes, which can help them with this transition and improve their employment prospects, is the Czech Olympic Committee and its "dual career" programme, the Athlete365 Career+ from the International Olympic Committee, and, to some extent, support provided by resort sports centres.