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Maynard, Mass., October 16, 2001 - Monster®, the leading global online careers site and flagship
brand of TMP Worldwide Inc. (NASDAQ: TMPW), today announced the results of comprehensive research conducted among U.S.
Olympians and Olympic hopefuls. The Monster Olympian Career Study finds that many U.S. Olympic
athletes are concerned that their athletic commitment delays their long-term career aspirations and advancement.
More than two-thirds (70%) of current and hopeful Olympians reveal that the time spent "going for the Gold"
creates a unique set of challenges regarding their future career success.
The study suggests there may be good reason for current and hopeful Olympians to be focused about life after the Olympic Games.
Among retired Olympians in their prime earning years (45-54 years of age), 61% claim not to have yet fulfilled their career aspirations.
Almost one-third (33%) of retired Olympians in the twilight of their career (55-64 years of age) still have not yet fulfilled those aspirations.
Even though an overwhelming majority (83%) of retired Olympians have completed their college education and 38% have received a
graduate degree, indications are that this group face career challenges well into their working lives.
"The Monster Olympian Career Study shows that the pursuit for Olympic glory creates career challenges for the very
'heroes' America cheers for during the Olympics," says Jeff Taylor, CEO of Monster. "The USOC and Monster are committed to providing
programs that assist athletes with the challenges they face during their post-Olympic career. Together, we will provide this elite group
of athletes with innovative tools and resources that will not only lead to meaningful professional careers, but more importantly help them
showcase the sought-after skills that make them ideal employees."
Post-Games Job Search Triggers Emotional Letdown
Many Olympians feel years behind their peers and lack hands-on working experience when they retire from their sport. While the fear of an
emotional letdown is prevalent among Olympians, more than two-thirds (67%) report having this fear, a near equal amount (61%) reveal that
they actually experienced from such a letdown following Olympic competition.
"The American public only sees the excitement surrounding the Olympics, but doesn't know the stress that comes after the competition is over,"
says Jimmy Pedro, Manager of Olympic Sponsorship for Monster, and three-time Olympian and judo world champion. "Many of us have given
years of our lives to focus on our Olympic goals. When our athletic careers end, we are faced with having to set brand new goals, and many
of us have to conduct a job search for the first time in our lives."
Half of those surveyed (43%) reveal they had trouble entering the workforce following the Olympic Games. As a result of their single-minded
focus on achieving their Olympic aspirations, many Olympians require assistance in shifting their mind set from their athletic careers to professional careers.
"The USOC has always been committed to Olympian success before, during, and after the Games," says Scott Blackmun, acting chief executive officer for the USOC.
"Monster has created unique programs designed to help Olympians increase their level of preparedness by connecting these athletes with mentors and arming
them with the necessary tools for the job search process. This preparedness could lessen the feeling of a letdown and make their career management easier."
Olympians Possess Desirable Talents
Despite reported career challenges, The Monster Olympian Career Study has found that Olympians develop a highly valued set of skills - discipline,
work ethic, ability to perform under pressure and team spirit; these qualities can lead to success in the workplace and may be particularly attractive to prospective employers.
Many employers already appreciate the power of the Olympian profile and have capitalized on the desirable skills of Olympians. For example, Home Depot currently employs 140
Winter and Summer Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls and has employed 285 athletes since 1992.
"We have found that Olympians are top notch associates who can inspire their co-workers through their team-spiritedness and unwavering discipline," says Mandy Holton, Home Depot spokesperson.
Breakthrough Online Tools for Olympians
Connecting with mentors, networking within the Olympic community, and learning the basics of the job search process can help athletes prepare for their post-competitive career.
Monster and the USOC have created TeamUSAnet (http://teamusanet.monster.com), the first career management website designed to assist U.S. Olympians
and Olympic hopefuls in leveraging their Olympic experience while seeking new career aspirations. This legacy program is an exclusive site that features an assortment of offerings, including:
| comprehensive resume builder and job search tools |
| an Olympic mentoring network including more than 100 mentors |
| unique content that caters specifically to Olympians and Olympic hopefuls in their pursuit to apply their athletic experience to the professional arena |
"The TeamUSAnet website provides a perfect vehicle for retired Olympians to interact with hopefuls and for Olympians to answer questions about what happens after the Games," says Jim Craig,
member of the gold medal winning 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team and TeamUSAnet mentor. "By communicating with these athletes online, we have been able to share experiences which will hopefully
help them to make the most of their Olympic experience and life after the Games. I am glad the USOC and Monster have created programs and initiatives that will improve the lives of Olympians
as their athletic careers have ended and their professional careers begin."
Panel Discussion Explores Solution
The results of this survey were released today during a panel discussion, which reinforced the need for career management services for Olympic athletes. The panel discussion, facilitated by
Monster CEO, Jeff Taylor, included "Miracle on Ice" Ice Hockey icon Jim Craig, speed skating legend Eric Heiden, U.S. Olympic Team sport psychologist Sean McCann, three-time Olympian and
judo world champion Jimmy Pedro, current super-G world champion Daron Rahlves and freestyle skier hopeful Hannah Hardaway.
The online survey, commissioned by Monster, and fielded by Harris Interactivesm, was completed by over 400 athletes across the country including Olympic hopefuls who have yet to compete
in the Games, current Olympians who have competed in the Games and are currently in training, and Olympians no longer competing. The margin of error is +/- 4.9 percent. To obtain more information
on this survey and Monster, the official career management sponsor of the 2002 and 2004 U.S. Olympic Teams and the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, or initiatives surrounding their sponsorship,
contact Sandy Yusen at 617-272-8317 or syusen@coneinc.com.
About Monster
Monster, headquartered in Maynard, Mass., is the leading global careers website, recording over 24.9 million unique visits during the month of September 2001 according to independent research
conducted by I/PRO. Monster connects the most progressive companies with the most qualified career-minded individuals, offering innovative technology and superior services that give them more
control over the recruiting process. The Monster global network consists of local content and language sites in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium,
New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, France, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Luxembourg, India, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, and Finland. Monster is the official online career management
services sponsor of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games and 2002 and 2004 U.S. Olympic Teams. More information about Monster is available at www.monster.com or
by calling 1-800-MONSTER
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