The Council acknowledges that talented and elite athletes must be able to pursue sport at the highest level while combining education and/or work in a flexible way. It emphasises that a “dual career” approach enables athletes to develop both sporting performance and lifelong personal, educational or career development.

The conclusions highlight that combining sport and education/work benefits not only the individual athlete’s future but also society at large, contributing to employability, social inclusion and the Europe 2020 strategy.

Member States are invited to take policy actions: develop high-quality training systems for athletes, implement flexible learning and recognition of non-formal and informal learning, support mobility of athletes, and cooperate with sport organisations, education and labour sectors. The conclusions also request the Commission to support exchange of best practices, provide guidance on dual-career policies across Europe, and promote coherent frameworks that respect athletes’ needs and rights.