The International Paralympic Committee and recruitment giant Adecco have announced the extension of the Athlete Career Programme.

The initiative, which helps the integration of elite athletes into the labour market, both during and at the end of their elite sporting careers, was set up in 2007.

Patrick De Maeseneire, chief executive of the Adecco Group, says: “It is often difficult for athletes to integrate into the world of work and business life. We provide the necessary education and training to help them prepare for this transition. The placements we offer enable them to find a suitable job or career path that they can follow with the same passion they brought to their sporting careers.”