Opportunities of Higher Education in the Adaptation of Athletes After the End of their Career

The work is based on the results of a sociological study “Adaptation of Russian athletes at the end of a sports career: expectations and opportunities” conducted by the scholars of Moscow State University and RUDN in 2022. The purpose of the study was a comprehensive analysis of the opinions of Russian athletes about their plans after completing an active sports career, about the possibility of their education and retraining. Based on the personal interviews’ information, the article analyzes the basic needs, opportunities and limitations that arise for active athletes at the end of their sports career. This problem is especially acute in the current socio-political situation in which Russia finds itself, when the end of a sports career and retirement from sports becomes forced and earlier than expected for many. In this regard, an important and often decisive factor is the coordinated interaction and readiness of the main social institutions to respond promptly to emerging challenges and provide conditions and opportunities for solving these problems. As practical recommendations for improving the process of re-socialization and adaptation of athletes, the authors propose several possible measures that may be taken by the higher school, which will be aimed at smoothing these problems. This work is addressed to a wide range of readers, everyone who is interested in the problems of higher education, the reaction of the education system to modern systemic challenges and interaction with other social institutions, such as sports.