Spanish NOC launches Athletes Employment Programme

Spanish Olympic Committee (COE) President Alejandro Blanco has launched an “Athletes Employment Programme” which will aim to create a network of companies to find jobs for their elite athletes. Blanco is in the IJF Executive committee as Olympic Solidarity Director of the IJF and a former judoka.

Blanco welcomed the initiative, which has been developed in collaboration with consultancy firm PriceWaterhouseCooper (PWC) and the Catholic University San Antonio of Murcia, which he hopes will help athletes both in training and employment.

At least 200 jobs are set to be created as a result of the programme over the next four years, which the COE believe will build upon the success of the Bertelsmann media company, which has so far hired 10 athletes in various roles.

The athletes have also been able to utilise their facilities and combine their sporting life, while maintaining a professional career.

Several Presidents of National Federations attended an event to discuss the scheme at COE headquarters, to show their commitment to the project.

In Judo Spain two Olympic gold medals when Barcelona organised the Games in 1992. Furthermore only in 2000 Isabel Fernandez took gold in Sydney. With better facilities and a company income the Spanish Olympic Committee hopes to aim for new successes at Olympic Games. For London Spain is expected to take medals in Athletics, Badminton, Cycling, Shooting, Taekwondo and Triathlon and in the teamsports Spain has great expectations for its Basketball team in men and women. In Judo Maria Bernabeu won silver this year in Astana. Julia Figueroa is in the 10 U48kg.