Former champions are in a class of their own

From podium to classroom, China's retired sporting heroes are embracing a new education and training program to facilitate their post-athletic transition to future roles with international governing bodies.

Once competing under the same banner at major international events, China's table tennis legend Ma Long, world champion curler Wang Bingyu and shot put great Gong Lijiao were among 10 retired athletes who reconnected in a classroom at Beijing Sport University on Wednesday.

They are now study partners who form the inaugural class of the Champions' Global Competency Enhancement Program — a tailor-made post-retirement training initiative for world-champion-caliber athletes launched by the Chinese Olympic Academy — at the university.

The one-year program aims to empower the athletes with a curriculum in foreign affairs, communication, international sports rules, sports management and foreign languages, preparing them for future career opportunities in international sports governance.

Seminars, case study sessions and overseas study trips are also part of the curriculum. They are expected to help students put the knowledge gleaned in class into practical application, further preparing them for a future working with international sports organizations.