New York, NY 24 JULY 2023 — Today Deloitte, a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner, announced the first-ever global Team Deloitte, a group of 19 Deloitte professionals who are also elite athletes training to qualify for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024. This athlete roster is joined by a small cohort of Deloitte-sponsored athletes.
As we look toward Paris 2024, we’re thrilled to introduce Team Deloitte, an extraordinary group of dual-career Deloitte professionals and elite athletes who exemplify the unique qualities required to succeed in both sport and business. We are excited to support and celebrate their journey to qualify for Paris 2024
says Joe Ucuzoglu, Deloitte Global CEO
Paris 2024: Introducing Team Deloitte
From gold medalist Paralympians who have broken world records, to an Olympic hopeful in one of the Games’ newest sports, breaking, each member of Team Deloitte embodies Deloitte’s shared values and will be part of creating a better world through sport
These dual career athletes represent 14 countries in 15 different sports. The Deloitte professionals within the team work in a full or part time capacity across each of our businesses at Deloitte. To view the full list of Team Deloitte members and their biographies, please click here.
It’s a huge honor to be part of Team Deloitte. Over the last 18 years while I’ve been working at Deloitte, I’ve also been able to chase my Paralympic sporting dreams. I got extremely excited when the partnership with the IOC/IPC was announced. I can't wait to see the exponential possibilities unfold to transform the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the impact we will have as we change the world for the better through sport!” – Pieter du Preez, Para athletics and Para cycling, South Africa (London 2012 Paralympic Games, Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games gold medalist, Paris 2024 hopeful) and Manager, Deloitte South Africa
“I always thought that Breaking and Deloitte were two completely different worlds, and that I would have to choose one to excel and advance in. I almost considered giving up my Olympic ambitions but decided to reach out to Deloitte for potential support. Now with Deloitte’s support, I can continue to advance my career while pursuing my dreams outside of work. Deloitte and Breaking share a lot of synergies and the skills that I learned in the professional world are transferrable to Breaking. They both require the same level of excellence, perseverance, dedication, and passion." – Tiffany Leung, Breaking (Paris 2024 hopeful) and Senior Consultant, Deloitte Canada
“I am very happy with the fact that Deloitte supports my athletic ambitions while also helping me grow in my career. I look forward to pushing towards Paris 2024 as an athlete and beyond as a Deloitte professional.” – Abe Wiersma, Rowing, Netherlands (Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 gold medalist, Paris 2024 hopeful) and Consultant, Deloitte Netherlands
Thriving in and outside of competition
Deloitte has a history of attracting and supporting elite athletes. Within the organization today, thirty-seven Deloitte professionals have participated in a combined seven summer and three winter editions of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, from Atlanta 1996 to Tokyo 2020. Their efforts span over 30 years of competition at Olympic and Paralympic Games, representing 15 countries in 21 different sports, and have resulted in 16 medals: ten gold, four silver, and two bronze.
Many retired Olympians and Paralympians have come to Deloitte for their post-competitive careers and are using the qualities and skills it takes to be an elite athlete performing at the highest levels to thrive at Deloitte.
“For most of our lives, we have been the exception to the norm. We were the strongest, fastest, most resilient, and most creative – this is what it takes to be an Olympian. I chose Deloitte because I can continue to apply these skills to the pursuit of world class performances while surrounding myself with professionals who also have been the exception and are willing to challenge the status quo.” – Noemie Thomas, Swimming, Canada (Olympic Games Rio 2016) and Business Transformation Senior Consultant, Deloitte Canada
“After retiring from elite gymnastics at 19, I believed that I’d be starting from scratch in the professional world. Little did I know the skills I’d acquired during my sporting career would not only be transferrable, but also essential to the success of my professional career. At Deloitte, the resilience to thrive in high-stakes situations, the courage to not be afraid to make mistakes, and the discipline to give 100% even on challenging days, are just a few of the qualities that not only made me an Olympian, but also are now helping me succeed in my career.” – Rebecca Wing, Artistic Gymnastics, Great Britain (Olympic Games Beijing 2008) and Global Sponsorships Project Manager, Deloitte Global
"A relentless drive for excellence, a commitment to continuous improvement, and the discipline to push through challenges and setbacks are the hallmarks of elite athletes and Deloitte professionals. These common features are why I feel like I have found a home at Deloitte." - Maxwell Lattimer, Rowing, Canada (Olympic Games Rio 2016, Olympic Games Tokyo 2020) and Organization Design Consultant, Deloitte Canada
A Partnership with Purpose
Today’s announcement of Team Deloitte builds upon the April 2022 news that the IOC and Deloitte have entered into a decade-long, five-Games TOP partnership through 2032. Deloitte and the IOC have formed a “partnership with purpose” that applies Deloitte’s deep business acumen to help the IOC realize the possibilities of the Olympic Agenda 2020+5 and its mission: creating a better world through sport.
“From three 4-time Olympian and Paralympian athletes to an Olympian who has participated in both winter and summer editions of the Olympic Games, our retired athletes and Team Deloitte epitomize the values of the Olympic and Paralympic Movement,” says Michele Parmelee, IOC Partnership & Purpose Leader, Deloitte Global. “The experience, work ethic, and resilience of these world class athletes—and professionals—is an inspiration. I am incredibly proud that so many of these talented people choose Deloitte to expand their already impressive careers and I’m excited for our people to celebrate the Team Deloitte athletes.”
Athlete support and well-being
Last year, Deloitte worked alongside the IOC to launch its Athlete365 Mentoring program, which seeks to support a cohort of Olympian and Paralympian mentees in their career transitions from elite sport. Eleven retired Olympians and Paralympians at Deloitte are participating in this program and are looking forward to sharing their own experiences and giving back to the athlete community and the Olympic and Paralympic Movement.
“It’s inspiring to think about the many ways this partnership can create better futures for athletes,” says John Skowron, Global Lead Client Service Partner – IOC, Deloitte US. “In addition to improving opportunities to transition beyond the field of play, Deloitte will use its digital expertise to advise in such areas as personalizing the fan experience and enhancing digital services to create a more digitally connected, inclusive experience for the athletes and fans around the world.”
About Deloitte
Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (DTTL), its global network of member firms, and their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte organization”). DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms and related entities are legally separate and independent entities, which cannot obligate or bind each other in respect of third parties. DTTL and each DTTL member firm and related entity is liable only for its own acts and omissions, and not those of each other. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more.
Deloitte provides industry-leading audit and assurance, tax and legal, consulting, financial advisory, and risk advisory services to nearly 90% of the Fortune Global 500® and thousands of private companies. Our people deliver measurable and lasting results that help reinforce public trust in capital markets, enable clients to transform and thrive, and lead the way toward a stronger economy, a more equitable society, and a sustainable world. Building on its 175-plus year history, Deloitte spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte’s approximately 460,000 people worldwide make an impact that matters at www.deloitte.com.
Press contact(s):
Vicktery Zimmerman
Deloitte Global Communications
Tel: +1 312 486 1569
vzimmerman@deloitte.com