ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the concept of dual career in sports and establishes why it has become a crucial consideration for athletes, sport organizations, and policymakers. It defines what constitutes a dual career and discusses the significance of this dual pathway for athletes’ personal development, well-being, career longevity, and post-sport transitions. This chapter explores how balancing sport with studies or vocational activities serves as a protective mechanism. A brief historical and global context is provided, contrasting the European dual career approach with other systems like the North American student-athlete model, and highlighting the particular rise of dual career support in Europe. This chapter also outlines the policy landscape and institutional models that have emerged to support dual careers.
