Officially launched in 2005, the Athlete Career Programme (ACP) has helped more than 2,000 athletes prepare for a career after competitive sport. The difficult transition from elite athlete to the workforce is the major focus of the ACP. The ACP does not remove the challenge, yet it does provide athletes with practical career development and the job placement support of Adecco, the world's largest and most successful employment services group. The International Olympic Committee and Adecco signed an agreement in 2005 to develop this programme.

Dieter Scheiff, Adecco Group CEO: "Sports competition requires such an extensive personal investment from athletes that it leaves them limited time to prepare for their professional life. This is where we come in and offer our worldwide expertise in delivering career training and placing people in the right jobs, We are proud to help athletes leverage the strength of their demonstrated traits in sport to find new challenges in the workplace and gain a foothold in the labor market." – Lausanne, Switzerland, February 7, 2007

Sergey Bubka, four time Olympian, and six time World Champion, “As the chairman of the IOC Athletes Commission, we believe this programme is a vital aspect of an athlete’s preparation. We at the Athletes Commission are focused on this programme and are pleased to be working closely on its progress and success.“

“The Athlete Career Programme assists athletes to overcome one of their most difficult challenges; the transition to life after sport. Through training and job placement, the ACP brings together elite athletes and multi-national companies in a program which is a true win-win for all stakeholders,” said Bob Ctvrtlik, ACP Executive and two-time Olympic Medal winner in Volleyball and member of the IOC Athletes Commission.

Patrick Glennon, Managing Director, Athlete Career Programme, "Through the ACP, we bring our passion, industry knowledge, and experience to enable athletes achieve better work, supporting a better life after sport. It’s about helping athletes recognize their demonstrated talents, traits and characteristics to transition to a new field."

Paola Silva, 23, A Mexican active gymnast and now aspiring finance expert ,“Before the ACP my career, both professional and as a sportswoman, was uncertain. Then, all of a sudden I felt more self-reliant, especially when it came to tough decisions; I now work for an Airline Accounting Center in the Accounts Payable Area, which has been my start in the labour world. ”

The origins for the ACP date back to 2002, when the 1st International Athletes' Sports Forum raised the issue of the difficulties athletes face in the transition to working life beyond competitive sport. Today 19 National Olympic Committees have signed an agreement with Adecco and are formally involved in the ACP and there is an agreement in place with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

Additional information is included in the Press Release dated February 7, 2007 and dated August 12, 2007 included in the press release page of the site.