Currently, only a small group of outstanding athletes are guaranteed access to further education.

"We should encourage them to participate in the national college entrance examinations, and the education department should draw up some preferential policies for them on enrollment," Li said.

In response, the Guangzhou sports authority said the draft law would soon be submitted to the local congress for approval after it is amended by the personnel, labor and social security departments.

"Besides arranging work in governmental organizations, we will also try to attract private firms to provide jobs for retired athletes," Chen Jianzu, a media official with the sports bureau, said.

In addition, a local human resource center for athletes will be set up, he said.

Under the draft law, more preferential employment policies for retired athletes will be issued, in a bid to treat them in the same way as demobilized soldiers, Chen said.

The country currently has about 50,000 registered athletes, one-fifth of whom are expected to retire after next year's Olympics.

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