COB presents the 6th class of the Athlete Career Program (PCA)

The Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) started on Wednesday, the 23rd , the 6th edition of seven-month Athlete Career Program (PCA). An initiative of the Brazilian Olympic Institute (IOB), COB education department, the objective of the PCA is to prepare athletes and former athletes for a more efficient career transition, and help them find the best approach to enter the labor market in the future.

The new class has 21 participants, comprising Olympic medalists like Poliana Okimoto (swimming marathon) and Leandro Guilheiro (judo); Pan American champions like Kaio Márcio Almeida (swimming), Maria Suelen Altheman (judo); Angélica Kvieczynski (rhythmic gymnastics), Fernando Scavasin (fencing), Adriana Aparecida da Silva (athletics) and Jeferson Sabino (athletics), among other.

COB president Paulo Wanderley opened the event underlining the importance of athlete preparation for transition, without counting solely on their fame because of the results that crowned their careers. "This is a COB initiative, whose focus is not on the courts, fields, pools and mats. It is focused on the moment athletes take their first steps into a completely different world. Athletes spend all their lives preparing to achieve objectives and, certainly, this applies also to other activities. The image of success of an athlete may not be immediately transferred to anther field of endeavor. Often, he or she will have to rebuild it. The PCA is an excellent path COB offers the athletes", Paulo Wanderley says.

The athletes attending the PCA are offered a wide range of services whose main goals are educational promotion and support to transition, as for example: internship opportunities, trainee programs and professional experience; scholarships in several areas; and Coaching processes, always looking for a professional career development plan.

With a BA in Languages and bronze medalist at the Olympic Games Rio 2016, Poliana Okimoto is aware that the PCA will bring about new perspectives: "This program is precisely what we expect form a sport organization. As an athlete your life is dedicated to sport and often you are unable to train and study at the same time. I have my BA and I can say these were the worst years of my career as an athlete, as study has impacted my competition and training routine. This initiative is immensely helpful to the athletes. To me, this is a rebirth after sport. I do not know what lies ahead, but I’m happy with my moment in life, for what I’ve done for sport, and I’m sure this course will help me pave the way for a new life" Poliana commented.

The Program was not designed just for former athletes. Athletes who are still active also have their place in the PCA as they start to think about their next steps, just like twice judo Olympic medalist Leandro Guilheiro.

"I’m, still an athlete, but since I started in judo I always thought about this transition. My first Olympic medal came when I was 21 years old, and I had a feeling that I needed to think about that. I had a friend who trained with me and worked in the investment area of a bank, and he gave me a basic view of the investment world. I studied finance management, and I’m always looking for qualification and continued education. Trough my preparation for transition I intend to find a full range of opportunities. Doors to be opened in the future", Guilheiro says.

In its first five groups, the PCA contributed to the career transition of 68 athletes and former athletes who are today working as sport managers, commentators, entrepreneurs, etc.

The IOB - Instituto Olímpico Brasileiro/Brazilian Olympic Institute is COB’s department of education. The objective of the IOB is to generate and disseminate knowledge by promoting high quality professional education through educational and development programs. Through courses, seminars, congresses and other academic and scientific events, the IOB intends to make a significant contribution to full development of national elite sport.

Here are the 21 participants of the PCA 2018:

Adriana Aparecida da Silva (athletics)

Angélica Kvieczynski (rhythmic gymnastics)

Carlos Eduardo Chinin (athletics)

Diego Lopez (rugby)

Douglas Marcelino (taekwondo)

Fernando Scavasin (fencing)

Jefferson Sabino (athletics)

Jessica Cavalheiro (swimming)

Jonathan Riekmann (athletics)

Josiane de Oliveira Lima (taekwondo)

Kaio Marcio Almeida (swimming)

Leandro Guilheiro (judo)

Liliane Lacerda (weightlifting)

Maíla Paula Machado (athletics)

Maria Suelen Altheman (judo)

Poliana Okimoto (swimming)

Rafael Duarte Lima (boxing)

Roberto Custodio (boxing)

Rogério Bispo (athletics)

Thiago Fernandes (rowing)

Welisson Rosa da Silva (weightlifting)

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