Budapest,  5 April During their meeting in Hungary last 29 and 30 March, held in the presence of representatives of the European Commission and national sports ministries,  the participants in the “Athletes to Business” (A2B) Project unanimously adopted guidelines to promote dual careers in Europe.

The A2B project was led by the EOC EU Office in close cooperation with athletes and partners from the business world, education and sport.

During the 15 months the project lasted, the A2B team collected useful information and identified dual career best practices through workshops and visits, with which the A2B guidelines were then compiled.

Shortly to be distributed to all stakeholders, these guidelines are for athletes, businesses, educational institutions, sports organisations and public authorities, and focus on what each of them can do to promote dual careers.

The document is not binding but contains concrete proposals for action that are modelled on best practice and will contribute to creating a better framework and environment within which athletes can reconcile top-level sporting achievement with education. 

It is the participants hope that the European Commission and the other stakeholders will treat the A2B guidelines as a working tool and use them extensively to support athletes successfully in their dual endeavour.