Over the “Athletic” Hill: When is it time to leave athletics?

 Lance Armstrong retired at the top of his game.

As I mentioned a few posts ago, I felt that the French soccer player Zidane did not want to end his athletic career with the head-butt scandal heard ’round the world.  Many athletes face this challenge–when should I quit, how do I want to go out, and what will I do AFTER athletics?  There are some athletes who don’t prepare for their futures, like not finishing their educations. 

Here are some tips to be aware of when an athlete is near the end of his/her career:

1.  Weigh in all the positives and negatives of competing in athetlics.  There are always good things and not so good things about being in athletics.  The glory and getting your name in the press are all perks of being part of an athletic team or sport, but there are some downsides to being an athlete.  If an athlete gets a career-ending injury– there isn’t much that can be done.  An athlete needs to see if the positives outweigh the negatives or vice versa.

2.  Athletes need to think in the long term.  Athletes need to be aware of their future activities in the next year or so.  No one can be an athlete forever– it eventually takes a toll on the body.  Athletes need to find another outlet to show their talents outside of athletics.  For example, if an athlete wants to become a financial advisor– well, they have to make sure that they get the right education, internships, and graduate school work in order to qualify.  If an athlete waits too long, it may be too late in the game for that.

3.  Being the “toilet paper” for everyone else competing.  You don’t want to be someone who is still competiting and not getting any medals.  In fact, you wouldn’t want to be the person that other athletes HAVE to beat in order to get any respect. 

My advice to all athletes is that being part of a team or competing in a sport is a great accomplishment.  There are few people who have an opportunity to do either of those things.  But– good things have to come to an end– and it is better to be remembered as a great athlete, not as an athlete who still competes because they have nothing else to do.  Leave on a high note– with people still wondering– will they make a comeback or not?  It’s always good to make people guess. 🙂