Analyzing the policy impact of the Olympic strategy on the soccer professionalization in China

The U23 regulations in the Chinese professional soccer have received many criticisms since the implementation in 2017. Despite the administrative reform and the approval of the long-term soccer development plan in 2015, the most recent elite development policies in professional soccer are considered having inherited the Olympic Strategy and conflicting with the professionalization prospects. Research has paid attention to the role of the Olympic Strategy on Chinese professional soccer but has yet made any response to the controversial policy conflict at present. This study uses a case study methodology to analyze the policy impact of the Olympic Strategy on the soccer professionalization in China. Extracting meanings from policy documents through three decades produced by various organizations, the study finds that policymakers in Chinese elite sport system justify the prioritization of developing Olympic athletes in three major patterns, which are based on performance, organization, and ideology. The rationales of the latest U23 regulations show that such Olympic-centric patterns have not ceased effects regardless of the unprecedented level of soccer development plan initiated two years ago. The findings suggest that the Olympic Strategy remained the priority of Chinese elite sport system after the Beijing Games and has been in policy conflicts with the soccer professionalization at the elite development level. Consequently, the overemphasis on the pathway of developing Olympic athletes over professional athletes diminishes the professionalization efforts.