The government is working on a plan to help the country’s top athletes find work when they stop competing, sports minister Edith Schippers told broadcaster NOS.

Schippers, who is currently attending the Olympics in Rio, was reacting comments by judoka Henk Grol about his difficulty in finding a job. ‘He asked me what he should do,’ Schippers said. ‘We are going to close that gap.’

The minister did not say how much money had been earmarked for the project, but said the aim would be to help athletes make the most of their skills and opportunities.

The scheme will be worked out in more detail following talks with athletes themselves.

Two years ago Schippers rejected calls for help, saying that athletes are also responsible for their future careers. The government does help up and coming athletes and those competing at top levels with grants so they can focus on sport without money troubles.