To assist athletes in transitioning from sports to business, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has partnered with Alibaba.com to launch the first phase of the Athlete365 Business Accelerator Programme. The initiative aims to provide current and former elite athletes with the tools and support necessary to pursue entrepreneurial ventures. Alibaba.com is the first worldwide Olympic and Paralympic e-Commerce Services partner to support this initiative.
The Athlete365 Business Accelerator is designed to help athletes leverage their experiences in high-performance sports to succeed in the business world. This year, the programme will offer participants access to educational resources, mentorship, funding, and training in the basics of e-commerce, digital marketing, and global trade.
The programme attracted hundreds of applications from athletes worldwide, with the most significant (38%) coming from Europe. Athletes from Africa (20%), North America (17%), Asia-Pacific (13%), and South America (12%) are also represented. Nearly 55% of the applicants have competed in the Olympics, with 46% still actively participating in their respective sports while aspiring to start a business.
According to research conducted by Alibaba.com, more than half of the applicants already have a business idea, and a substantial portion (12%) have established businesses generating stable revenues. The focus of the Athlete365 Business Accelerator is on equipping athletes with the knowledge needed to create and grow their businesses, particularly in the realm of e-commerce.
The programme will include a series of online lessons starting with a masterclass led by Tony Parker, Alibaba.com’s global brand ambassador. Parker, a two-time Olympian and successful entrepreneur, will share his journey from professional athlete to business leader. Following the masterclass, participants will engage in virtual boot camps and one-on-one mentoring sessions. These will cover essential business concepts such as idea development, e-commerce fundamentals, and the use of Alibaba.com’s AI-powered tools for global sourcing.
Alibaba.com’s AI solutions enable businesses to search for products more efficiently, using a combination of videos, images, and text. These tools are designed to streamline the sourcing process and allow buyers and suppliers to communicate in multiple languages, making international trade more accessible for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
As part of the collaboration with the IOC, Alibaba.com aims to support athletes during and after their careers, providing them with practical tools for a seamless transition into entrepreneurship. Research from Alibaba.com indicates that nearly 63% of retired athletes struggle to secure new careers once they leave sports, making the Accelerator Programme a vital resource for those looking to build sustainable post-sport careers.
Anne-Sophie Voumard, Managing Director of IOC Television & Marketing Services, emphasized the importance of such partnerships. “Through initiatives like the Athlete365 Business Accelerator, the IOC and its partners are helping athletes succeed not just in their sports, but also in life beyond their competitive careers,” she said.
Kuo Zhang, President of Alibaba.com, explained that both athletes and entrepreneurs share key traits such as resilience, ambition, and the ability to take calculated risks. “At Alibaba.com, we want to make the transition to entrepreneurship easier for athletes by providing them with practical guidance and the tools they need to thrive in global e-commerce,” Zhang said.
The Athlete365 Business Accelerator programme is part of Alibaba.com’s broader strategy to foster global trade and empower entrepreneurs through technology. The programme’s first phase will continue throughout December, with additional phases planned for 2025.
