AN INITIATIVE ACCELERATED AS A RESULT OF THE GAMES 16. Due to the hygiene measures applied throughout 2020, the organisers had to postpone around 40 of those dates to 2021. FROM THE STADIUM TO EMPLOYMENT: NEW FORMS OF RECRUITMENT Paris 2024, the French Athletics Federation (FFA) and Pôle emploi joined forces to offer a new form of job dating in an athletics stadium. This innovative programme, “From the Stadium to Employment”, was created at regional level in 2019 but Paris 2024 took it national, with around 50 dates planned 16 . In collaboration with the FFA and the Greater Paris Athletics League, the Greater Paris regional authorities decided to partner with Pôle emploi Île-de-France and Paris 2024 to roll out 13 programme-related initiatives in the coming years. The initiative involves harnessing sport to create shared moments where jobseekers can demonstrate their expertise, social and professional skills and attitudes to recruiters before embarking on interviews. It therefore aims to facilitate the recruitment of the long term unemployed with an innovative tool that focuses on highlighting applicants’ interpersonal skills. Its effectiveness has already been proven, with 50% of participants back in work or enrolled in training programmes leading to qualifications. On average, around 40% of attendees at classic job dating events achieve positive outcomes. Building on the results of its initial trials, this type of initiative – with sport revealing job applicants’ skills – will be deployed throughout France. It could receive financial support from the Paris 2024 endowment fund and be promoted among public employment bodies (led by Pôle emploi) and the sporting movement. Furthermore, it will make use of innovative recruitment tools to fill a large number of jobs linked to the Games – starting with roles within the organising committee and at partner marketing companies with a strong interest in the capacity of such an event to draw unusual applications, as well as the opportunity to showcase their employer brand and make their professions more appealing. Lastly, public health conditions permitting, the companies working on the Games can also recruit in the stadiums, including in Seine-Saint-Denis and Paris. © – CASSE Simon The Legacy and Sustainability plan for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games — 59