Multiple Olympic gold medallist Deng Yaping has joined calls for action to ensure the livelihoods of athletes after they retire.
The plight of athletes who dedicated their lives to sporting excellence and national success only to plunge into poverty upon retirement was highlighted earlier this month when former marathon champion Ai Dongmei said she would have to sell her medals for money to feed her family.
Deng, the only table-tennis player to have won four Olympic gold medals, said athletes' security needed to be addressed all over the world.
'I know of a case in which a retired Olympic gold medallist from Africa could not afford to buy a suit in order to accept an invitation to dine with the [International Olympic Committee] president,' said Deng, who was sharing her experiences with juniors at an East Asian Games pins exhibition launch ceremony in Hong Kong yesterday.
'Many athletes end up living in less-than-desirable circumstances after they retire from sport.'
Deng said that as an IOC Athletes' Committee member, it was her duty to help bring the issue to the attention of sporting authorities.