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An Olympic Medal, but Then What?

Many athletes experience a vacuum when they withdraw competition

By Elizabeth Harmon, Newser User

Posted Aug 18, 2008 3:47 PM CDT

(Newser) – When Olympic careers end, many athletes endure emotional stress or cope with the comedown by turning to drugs, the New York Times reports. Few can expect the multi-million-dollar endorsement deals that await Michael Phelps, and many fail to redirect their focus. The fix, says one sports psychologist, is to identify a BHAG: a "big, hairy, audacious goal."

One study of Czech Olympians found that only 17% made the transition without distress or substance abuse. Some, like speedskater-turned-surgeon Eric Heiden, do find a "BHAG." But most endure nights like Bruce Jenner's after he won gold in Montreal in 1976. “I had no plans, nothing,” he said. "I mean, I was extremely satisfied but also devastated by the finality of it all."

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From left, Germany's Timo Boll, Dimitrij Ovtcharov and Christian Suess show off their silver medals for table tennis at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Monday, Aug. 18, 2008. China won the gold. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Russia's gold medal winner Yelena Isinbayeva prepares for an attempt in the women's pole vault final in Beijing, Monday, Aug. 18, 2008. (AP Photo)

China's gymnast Chen Yibing celebrates after winning the gold medal during the rings apparatus finals at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Monday, Aug. 18, 2008. (AP Photo)

United States swimmer Michael Phelps attends a press conference in Beijing Monday Aug. 18, 2008, one day after his historic eighth gold medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympics. (AP Photo)

Chinese diver Guo Jingjing prepares to dive on her way to win the gold medal in the women's 3m springboard diving finals at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Sunday, Aug.17, 2008. (AP Photo)

Kenya's gold medal winner Pamela Jelimo with silver medal winner Janeth Jepkosgei Busienei, left, and bronze medal winner Hasna Benhassi at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Monday, Aug. 18, 2008. (AP Photo/Greg Baker)

Poland's gymnast Leszek Blanik performs on the vault during the apparatus finals at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Monday, Aug. 18, 2008. Blanik won the gold medal. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

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When you're training for the Olympics, everything revolves around this quadrennial schedule, and you get used to being tested and rewarded on that schedule. - Greg Louganis, Olympic diver and gold medalist

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An Olympic Medal, but Then What?