The International Olympic Committee and Adecco extend their cooperation to deliver the “IOC Athlete Career Programme“ to Olympic Athletes through 2012

This program supported more than 3,000 athletes during its first three years in over 30 countries delivering career development and job placements.

Lausanne, Switzerland, Today, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Adecco the global leader in Human Resources services announced the extension of the “IOC Athlete Career Programme”, an initiative designed to facilitate the integration of athletes into the labor market both during and at the end of their elite sporting careers.

Launched in 2005, the IOC and Adecco renewed their relationship to provide career development and job placement services to Olympic Athletes around the world. When an Olympic Athlete is on the field of play, he has achieved a status as one of the best in the world whether he wins a medal or has the honor to represent his country. The character and the personal traits that these athletes display on the field is part of who they are. These same people have dedicated significant time to training to represent their countries which results in a unique set of life experiences that are seen on a CV or Resume. The IOC Athlete Career Programme is designed to prepare athletes for a more successful transition and help bring elite athletes together with leadership companies around the world.

“The IOC recognizes the value that these athletes bring to the world through their dedication to sport on a global stage. We were proud to first provide assistance to them with the launch of the Athlete Career Programme in 2005 and we are even more excited with our expansion and strengthening of the Programme with Adecco,” said IOC President Jacques Rogge. “The end of an elite sporting career is difficult, and the IOC Athlete Career Programme will provide support to assist athletes continue with their proven success on the field as they move into the labour market.”

“Top athletes are dedicated to their sport and passionate to be the best in the world while globally representing their country,” said Dieter Scheiff, CEO of Adecco. “We are proud to cooperate with the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Movement, by providing our services to these athletes for a flying start to their career after sports.”

The IOC Athlete Career Programme will continue to increase its support of Olympic Athletes around the world through the cooperation of the International Olympic Committee, National Olympic Committees, International Sport Federations and Adecco.
For more information on the Programme, Please contact ACPATHLETES@adecco.com

For pictures please use the following link: http://www.adecco.com/Channels/adeccoNewVI/newsandpress/imagelibrary/athletecareerprogramme.asp

About the International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee (IOC), created in 1894, is a non-governmental organisation with volunteer members who represent its work around the world, and an administrative staff based in Lausanne, Switzerland. The vision of the IOC and its 205 National Olympic Committees is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport. In addition to selecting the host city and coordinating the staging of the Olympic Games, the IOC, NOCs and International Sport Federations collaborate with a range of organisations and their members in the public and private sectors to place sport at the service of society. The main goal is to promote the values of Olympism, which include excellence, respect and friendship.

About Adecco
Adecco S.A. is a Fortune Global 500 company and the global leader in HR services. The Adecco Group network connects over 700,000 associates with clients each day through its network of over 36,500 employees (FTEs) and over 6,700 offices in over 60 countries and territories around the world. Registered in Switzerland, and managed by a multinational team with expertise in markets spanning the globe, the Adecco Group delivers an unparalleled range of flexible staffing and career resources to clients and associates.

Adecco S.A. is registered in Switzerland (ISIN: CH0012138605) and listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange with trading on SWX Europe (SWX: ADEN) and the Euronext Paris (EURONEXT: ADE).