Right now across the United States athletes are preparing — in the fields, on the track, on the courts, in the pool and in the ring — for the biggest global sporting event that comes every four years. On August 5th, 2016, over 10,000 athletes from 205 countries will unite in Rio de Janeiro to compete for gold and glory for their country.
It’s hard to believe that the Rio 2016 Olympic Games are only one year away.
Rio was the center of the Portuguese Colonial Empire in the early 19th century but later became the capital of the Brazilian Republic. And throughout its history, the city has always been a breeding ground for sport. Rio is a vibrant city that is perfectly situated on the beach, but has easy access to the outdoors and the mountains.
The 2016 Olympic Games will mark a historic first; Rio de Janeiro will be the first Olympic Games held in South America. This moment in Olympic history will begin in exactly 365 days, and the USOC Athlete Career & Education Program team at Adecco cannot wait for the torch to be lit. Athletes from around the world are tirelessly preparing for their shot to compete on the biggest stage of all. Test events for several Olympic sports have already begun in the host city.
Adecco and the USOC Athlete Career and Education Program
The USOC Athlete Career and Education (ACE) Program helps both U.S. Olympians, Paralympians and hopefuls prepare for life after sport, and assists these athletes in finding meaningful work that fits busy training and competition schedules. Elite athletes are a wonderful resource in the workforce, and despite potentially odd work hours and travel schedules, these athletes have a variety of soft skills that make them extremely valuable to any employer.
For example, many of the athletes that are headed to Rio in just one year are already working or finishing school in addition to training full-time to represent the USA. This balancing act evolves into excellent time management skills and highlights a strong work ethic – both traits attractive to any employer.
Remember when watching Team USA compete at The Olympics in just 365 days, those athletes that you admire are also preparing for their eventual lives outside of sport. Adecco, in conjunction with the USOC’s Athlete Career and Education Program, helps support many of these athletes off the field, the court, the pool, the ring, and the track.