The Fair is set to take place on January 17 in Reading and more than 200 Olympians and Paralympians from 46 sports have signed up to take part.

Businesses who have already committed to the event include Cadbury, EDF, Lloyds, IHG, Deloitte, British Gas, Red Bull and Glasgow 2014.

The event is being supported by Adecco, Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust and the English Institute of Sport (EIS) while it aims to offer a range of support and advice to current, retiring and retired athletes with a traditional career fair running alongside a number of other services.

Athletes will be able to access services that offer advice to athletes on a range of issues from transition support to financial planning while there will be a series of workshops available that include tutorials on how to write a CV, interview techniques and networking.

Some of the athletes already scheduled to take part include London 2012 Olympic canoeing champion Tim Baillie (pictured top), modern pentathlon star Heather Fell and Paralympic rower Tom Aggar.

"We are delighted that over 200 Olympians and Paralympians have already signed up for the Athletes Career Fair," said BOA chief executive Andy Hunt.

"The Fair gives first class businesses and organisations an opportunity to meet and employ some Olympic household names, including London 2012 Olympic canoeing gold medallist Tim Baillie and Beijing 2008 modern pentathlon silver medallist Heather Fell.

"The Athletes Career Fair is one way for us to help retired or retiring Team GB athletes apply their many skills in the world of business.

"It is also an opportunity for us to give something back to athletes after they gave so much to us during the summer of 2012 in the form of amazing Olympic performances."


BPA chief executive Tim Hollingsworth has also given his full backing to the Fair.

"The Athletes Career Fair aims to offer tangible opportunities to athletes so those exhibiting in the Employer Zone have to be prepared to offer some work placements as a minimum requirement," he said.

"Athletes offer a wide range of transferable skills, for example, great personal discipline, excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to perform under pressure.

"We firmly believe that athletes have the determination and dedication to succeed in every walk of life and will therefore be very attractive to potential employers."

Companies and athletes wishing to sign up for the Athletes Career Fair should contact BOA sport engagement manager Georgina Harland on [email protected] or 07932 765 115.

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