20/05/2026
Athlete's career in the ESC focus
The ESC Open Table focused on one of the least discussed challenges in professional sport: what happens to an athlete when their career ends. The meeting, initiated by ESC Vice-President, President of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee and IOC Commission Member Vessela Letcheva, replaced formal presentations with honest conversation – federation leaders, athletes, coaches, and managers at the same table, speaking openly about the issues that matter most.
The athletes spoke first, and they spoke from experience. Olympic champion Zorana Arunović, Secretary of the EOC Athletes' Committee, was direct: athletes often reach the end of their careers without the guidance they need to start a new path. Olympic silver medallist Silvana Stanco, Head of the ESC Athletes' Committee, made it personal. She had to pause her university studies to continue competing. Around the table, this was recognised not as an individual case, but as a common pattern.
Mrs Arunović welcomed the ESC initiative as a significant step forward, as it means that athletes are no longer the only ones considering their future.
The conversation moved toward solutions, and a clear logic emerged. Enkelejda Caushi, Secretary General of the Albanian Shooting Sport Federation, set the foundation: identifying future champions early through talent development and school partnerships. Building on that, Hamish McInnes, CEO of British Shooting, argued that supporting athletes throughout their active careers gives them far more options when those careers end.
Jonas Edman, Olympic champion and Sports Director of the Norwegian Shooting Federation, took the argument to its conclusion: successful federation leadership requires understanding that building a sport takes time and resources, and that those who have experienced it from the beginning are best placed to lead.
The ESC, more than any other confederation, recognises this and actively supports national federations in making that commitment count. Participants also addressed visibility and popularity – pointing to Yusuf Dikeç and Kim Ye-ji as athletes who became global names overnight. That kind of recognition changes everything for the sport and for the athletes themselves. The goal is to make it the norm.
Mrs Letcheva framed the bigger picture: "Shooting is an important part of the Olympic movement. The challenge ahead is how to make it attractive, how to turn our champions into stars, and how to create a wave of excitement. Our sport has a huge social and public impact – and that potential is far from fully realised."
Closing the meeting, she made clear this was not a one-time conversation:
"Initiatives like these not only generate ideas, but also solutions. When we come together – athletes, leaders, organisations and businesses – we can make a tremendous contribution to our future."
The ESC Presidium is set to transform these ideas into practical solutions. A key part of this effort is the partnership with the International Olympic Academy to launch a comprehensive development program. This initiative will offer athletes tools for career growth, including media training and professional courses designed to support them both during and after their sporting careers.
