‘Thrown out into the real world’: The retirement experiences of elite figure skaters

Abstract

This study explored the retirement experiences of elite figure skaters, using qualitative methodology. Despite the extensive research that exists on athletic retirement, no previous study has examined this particular group of athletes. Five former British Squad members and national medallists participated in an in-depth interview. Using Grounded Theory, a conceptual and theoretical framework was developed. The difficulty of a figure skater’s transition out of elite sport was found to be facilitated by the degree to which they internalised their sporting identity, as well as their perceived control over the circumstances surrounding their retirement. A failure to define a future self prior to retirement resulted in a fear to withdraw from figure skating as well as a difficultly assuming an identity without skating. To prevent future elite figure skaters from experiencing challenging adjustments to retirement, parents and coaches should promote the exploration of roles and skills away from figure skating.