02 December 2024 –  The International Olympic Committee (IOC), in collaboration with Alibaba.com, has officially launched the first phase of the Athlete365 Business Accelerator programme, which aims to empower current and former elite athletes to transfer their skills into successful business ventures.

Building on the success of previous editions, this year’s Athlete365 Business Accelerator has attracted applications from hundreds of athletes worldwide, showcasing a diversity of backgrounds and experiences. Notably, 41 per cent of applicants identify as female and 10 per cent are Paralympians, with participants representing regions across Europe, Asia-Pacific, North America and Africa.