Turning Athletes into Entrepreneurs | Business Strategist & Athlete Advocate | Empowering Future Leaders | Friend of AI, Crypto, and Web3
As the curtains close on the Paris Olympics, the world has witnessed athletes at their highest and lowest—moments of triumph and heartbreak that will be etched in memory. Yet, for many athletes, the greatest challenge lies ahead: navigating the "post-Olympic blues," a phenomenon that can leave even the most celebrated competitors questioning their next steps. Apolo Ohno, the USA’s most decorated winter Olympian, aptly describes this transition: "It has similarities to anyone that has been doing something for a very long time… They … felt like this is what they were made to do, they were good at it. And then at a snap of a finger, it’s no longer available and now they have to go and do something else." This sudden shift from the global spotlight to relative obscurity can be daunting. As the athletes return home, the pressing question becomes, "What's next?" One answer also lies in how well they can leverage their Olympic success into long-term opportunities. With the LA Games on the horizon, athletes have a unique chance to capitalize on their newfound fame in a market primed for branding and marketing. But success in this arena requires more than just a quick financial gain. Athletes must focus on sustainable partnerships and control their exposure to ensure lasting opportunities. It's about building a legacy, not just cashing in on the moment. As we look forward to the next Olympics, it's a reminder that the games are not just about winning medals—they're about planning for life after the podium. Jack Green, OLY provides a good insight, describing the hours and days after the end of the Olympics in very concrete terms in his post today 👉 https://lnkd.in/e46jnmMd. Also recommended are the articles by Issy Ronald via CNN: For even the most successful Olympians, life after the Games can be like ‘going down that cliff’ 👉 https://lnkd.in/e9vxfPqn and by Daniel Sheldon, The Athletic: How Olympians stay relevant – and benefit financially – before 2028 LA Games 👉 https://lnkd.in/eVNJ_2VX. The above excerpt is from the current issue of Playmakers Brew. Also included in the issue is: LeBron could end up as Celtics owner – Tackling the problem of deepfakes – Getty's Olympic photography tech 👉 https://lnkd.in/ehWi8Zwy #olympics #opportunity #LA28 #thinkingbeyondsports
