The Youth Olympic Games as a turning point in Turkish athletes' career transitions

This study investigates the long-term impact of Youth Olympic Games (YOG) participation on the career transitions of Turkish athletes between 2010 and 2020, a topic that remains underexplored in sport career development literature. Guided by the Athletic Career Transition Model (ACTM) and the Holistic Athletic Career Model (HACM), semi-structured interviews were conducted with eleven former YOG athletes to examine their experiences before, during, and after the Games. Findings revealed four interrelated themes across the pre-, during-, and post-YOG phases. Athletes experienced the shaping and reconfiguration of athletic identity, as YOG participation validated or destabilised their self-perceptions. They faced substantial psychological demands and employed varied coping strategies, navigating pressures, emotional strain, and demonstrating resilience. Participants also had to negotiate life beyond sport, balancing challenging academic responsibilities and social pressures alongside intensive training schedules. Lastly, the YOG served either as a bridge toward sustained elite progression or as a turning point, often leading to burnout and early disengagement. The study highlights the urgent need for athlete-centered support systems, including transparent qualification structures, psychological services, dual-career programs, and sustained financial assistance. These findings underscore that YOG participation, while potentially transformative, must be embedded within robust developmental frameworks to ensure long-term athletic and personal sustainability.