LAUSANNE, July 5, 2012 - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today underscored its firm commitment to the IOC Athlete Career Programme (IOC ACP) by agreeing to an eight-year extension of its cooperation agreement with the Adecco Group, one of the world’s leading provider of human resources solutions.

The deal, signed by IOC President Jacques Rogge and Adecco Group CEO Patrick De Maeseneire at the IOC’s headquarters in Lausanne, ensures that athletes around the world will continue to receive a wide range of assistance aimed at helping them transition smoothly into life after sport.

Adecco worked with the IOC to implement the ACP in 2005 and since then the programme has provided career development and job placement services to more than 10,000 Olympic athletes from over 100 countries. The programme is based on providing athletes with three key tools: education, life skills and employment.

“The extension is another example of how committed the Olympic Movement is to athletes,” said President Rogge. “Athletes are the heart of the Olympic Games and the IOC strives to make sure they are well looked after, both during their athletic careers and after. We are very happy our friends at Adecco will continue to support the IOC Athlete Career Programme and help athletes make the transition from competing on the field of play to competing in the labour market.”

“The Athlete Career Programme is embedded in Adecco’s core values of team spirit, entrepreneurship, customer focus and responsibility. Every day our 33,000 colleagues make sure that around 700,000 people have a good job to help them develop their careers. Integrating athletes into the work force is part of our focus. Together with the IOC, we recognise athletes’ transferable skills such as passion, persistence and flexibility. We see it as our duty to assure they have a future after their sports careers. So far, we have supported 10,000 athletes around the globe. We are proud to provide HR services to the Olympic Movement and to be a partner to elite athletes,” said Adecco’s CEO Patrick De Maeseneire.

Also on hand for the signing were IOC Director General Christophe De Kepper, IOC Sports Director Christophe Dubi, Adecco Head of Group Communications Stephan Howeg, and Senior Vice President for the IOC ACP Patrick Glennon.

The IOC Athlete Career Programme is developed and delivered in over 30 countries by the Olympic Movement – including National Olympic Committees, International Federations and National Federations – in cooperation with Adecco.

Athletes at this summer’s Olympic Games are encouraged to learn more about the IOC ACP, which will have a strong presence within the Athletes’ Village.