In recent years, advanced professional athletes' career development after retirement has become an issue in which society is increasingly interested. However, there are very few theoretical studies exploring the relevant factors influencing the nature of athletes' transition. Based on 80 Chinese Olympic champions who have retired and pursued cross-border careers (i.e. careers outside the sphere of their own competitive sport) for more than five years, this study uses qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) to analyze five factors, including gender,psychological capital, human capital, individual social influence of winning sport event and 'cross-border distance'.This study shows that: first, the higher the level of psychological capital, human capital, sport event influence and the smaller cross-border distance, the greater the possibility that retired Olympic champions will succeed in cross-border career development. Second, when levels of human capital and sport event influence are not sufficiently high, athletes' psychological capital plays a decisive role in successful cross-border career development.Third, athletes' level of psychological capital and the level of influence of their sport event are 'bottlenecks' which restrict cross-border career success. These results have theoretical and practical value for optimizing placement policy for retired athletes, and guiding the career planning of both competing and retired elite athletes.

Li,Yongrui,Wang,Lingxiao.What Factors Determine the Success or Failure of‘Cross-Border’Career Development of Chinese Retired Olympic Champions? A Qualitative Comparative Analysis[J]The International Journal of the History of Sport,2021,10.