Moving On: Do Sportspeople Ever Leave The Spotlight?

Or do they merely shift the way in which the media captures them?

Earlier today, it was announced by the BBC that British boxer Tony Bellew, confirmed his retirement 12 days after his defeat by Oleksandr Usyk on 10th November. The 38 year-old former world cruiser-weight champion told the BBC "The only thing you will see me doing from here on in is trying to act sensible and being myself. I have had a fantastic career and have realised my dreams".

This, however, is not the way in which all sportspeople decide to retire. 

 In a bid to squeeze the last bit of entertainment out of every crevasse of sport and their associated personalities, it's not uncommon to see athletes move onto presenting or commentary. 

 Take the likes of Gary Lineker OBE or Gabby Logan for instance: Lineker is a former English professional footballer now turned sports broadcaster. As well as holding England's record of 10 goals in FIFA World Cup finals, he now has a notorious presenting history which started with the BBC in the late 1990s, which has led to him present the ever popular football programme Match of the Day since he began there. Gary's career has enabled him to work with NBC Sports Network in the US, and to currently host BT Sport's coverage of the UEFA Champions League. 

 So whilst Gary fell into sports presenting after experiencing extreme fame from his sport, which continued with his work in TV, former Welsh international gymnast Gabby Logan became more well known after retirement after entering the world of TV broadcast. Best known for her presenting role with BBC Sport and ITV, Logan has been working in the industry since 1995, and has made herself a very well known face in the world of sport.

But sadly, as common as it is for sportspeople to move onto these avenues, it's probably also as common to see these ex-players crop up on a good old-fashioned reality TV show: queue the reason behind this article with Tony Bellew.

Disregarded fame isn't everyone's cup of tea...

 In interview with the BBC Radio 5 Live, Bellew - who starred in the boxing film Creed (2015) - stated that unlike former two-weight world champion Chris Eubank and football manager Harry Redknapp, he would not consider entering the Australian jungle in ITV's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! With an alternative request to the media to "please just let me live and disappear".

 The celebrity life definitely isn't for everyone, and that's not a bad thing. If you're a sports performer at the top of your game, it's unlikely you were driven by the fame and fortune to get there. Speaking from personal experience in my own competitive long distance running, along with listening to many interviews in the past with Olympians and World Champions: it's the sheer drive and determination to push oneself to the limit and succeed - either in an individual achievement, or to represent their country - that motivates this sporting excellence, and not the celebrity status.

 In my opinion, if that's why you've got into the sport, you're in it for very wrong reasons... But that's just me!

Staying in the spotlight...

 Whilst some sporting stars shy away from being broadcast across our screens in retirement, a large group remain within the public eye through their sport. I identify two main reasons for this endurance: giving the people what they want, and keeping busy. 

 

 Through watching elite athletes perform on our screens, we grow to love them. The media supports the viewing audience's adoration by showcasing and celebrating both their sporting excellence, and personas within their disciplines - you only have to go as far as BBC's Sports Personality of the Year (1954 - present) to see exactly what I mean.

 We love watching our sporting heroes, and broadcasters latch onto this... they know if they put a beloved retired sports star into a presenter's chair, they will inevitably acquire part of the viewing audience who celebrated the athlete whilst they were still competing. 

 And a bigger audience, means bigger bucks and a benefit to the broadcast.

 I have also touched on how remaining in the sports broadcast industry helps to keep retired athletes busy - a concept determined by sports psychology.

 Many elite athletes suffer from depression once retiring from their sport. The transition from hours upon hours of rigorous training and striving for competitive goals, to learning how to live a more normal life is extremely tough. Athletes such as GB Olympic Champion Victoria Pendleton and Welsh sprint champion Iwan Thomas have suffered from poor mental health in their retirement from sport, however have found solace through professional support and keeping involved in their sports.

 In 2016, Thomas shared his experience of depression with Prince Harry at a Heads Together charity event. According to the BBC, Iwan discussed how he struggled with his mental health, however was now "in a 'happy place' and enjoying television work".

 Retired athletes such as Thomas are a perfect example of someone who has utilized the intensive power of sports broadcast to keep them grounded, and to remain part of the sporting community.