Athlete Transitions into Retirement: Experiences in Elite Sport and Options for Effective Support - Paperbackby Deborah Agnew (Editor) Transitions in sport can be either normative (relatively predictable) or non normative (less predictable) and are critical times in the development of athlete's careers. Whilst retirement from sport is inevitable, the timing of retirement can be less predictable. If an athlete copes well with the transition they may be better able to adjust to life after sport. However, not coping with the transition can lead to a crisis and