CW-School of Applied Human Sciences

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The plight of elite athletes
(Kenyatta University, 1997) Boit, M.
According to the latest statistics from the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF), elite athletes have a turnover rate of 40% annually. When one considers a country like Kenya, with large proportion of elite athletes, the turnover rates is even higher. The purpose of this paper is to take a critical look at the factors which account for early retirement among top African athletes. Many athletes that rise to fame overnight soon find themselves in the centre stage of public and media attention, a role in which the majority of them are ill-prepared to undertake. Consequently, the new superstar is exposed to a culture shock which often manifests itself in drug dependency, especially alcohol, a situation which generally leads to premature retirement from competition. Upon retirement, some of the elite athletes, especially the less educated, may experience another form of culture shock, in the process of readjustment, as a result of dramatic changes from being a super star back to a lay person. Suggestions are provided on how to contain the high turnover rates among the African elite athletes and how to assist them to achieve successful readjustment upon retirement after an illustrious athletic career.