A At the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008, G4S 4teen weightlifter Ilin Ilya from Kazakhstan won a gold medal. The phenomenal achievement saw Ilin fulfil the goal of the 4teen programme four years ahead of schedule, and so it was a natural progression for him to move aside and welcome a new athlete into the programme to succeed him.

Ilin’s achievement can be an inspiration to the other 4teen athletes to show what can be achieved with ultimate commitment and support of G4S 4teen. We were delighted with his success and the opportunity to expand the programme to a new market in Peru.

When Ilin won the Olympic gold in Beijing we began the process to look at new international markets who could most benefit from having an athlete in G4S 4teen.
The most important thing was to identify countries in which the G4S 4teen could really make a difference. Peru was chosen because there were a group of highly promising aspiring young Olympic athletes who we thought could benefit from the support of the programme.

It was clear that G4S 4teen could help some very talented young sportsmen in Peru, by giving them assistance in their sporting careers and personal lives that they otherwise may not have had.

G4S worked closely with the Peruvian Olympic Association to identify a shortlist of young Olympic sportsmen who are at the top of their sports for their age groups. We then conducted interviews with the athletes, their coaches, and their sports’ governing bodies to understand more about them and how they would benefit from joining G4S 4teen.
Eduardo was the outstanding candidate in Peru. He has excelled in his sport, but would clearly benefit from being part of G4S 4teen, not least through the help it will provide him in travelling to top international competitions.

As with all G4S 4teen athletes, Eduardo will receive financial support towards his sporting career.

The support from G4S will help to fund his travel to major international wrestling competitions which are vital for Eduardo to compete at in order to help his development as a top athlete. Without the support of G4S, Eduardo may not have been able to compete at all of these events.

The G4S 4teen funding will also contribute to vital wrestling equipment, training and kit for Eduardo’s career. In addition G4S 4teen provides athletes with advice and support from the G4S network around the world, and the support of Olympic legend Haile Gebrselassie.

For Eduardo, one of the benefits of being supported by such a large global organisation is that wherever you travel to in the world for competitions, training or studying you will always have support and assistance on ground from the local G4S business.

Eduardo is a great example of how the athletes can benefit from this. He will be travelling around the world to compete in countries where G4S has offices and a support network that he can use. We want to make his sporting and personal life a bit easier so he can reach the potential that he obviously has.

The access he will have to Olympic legends like G4S 4teen mentor Haile Gebrselassie will be invaluable in helping him to progress as a sportsmen and understanding the pressures and requirements of a modern-day sportsman. He will also be able to learn and share experiences with his fellow 4teen athletes in their common journey towards sporting success.

The financial support that G4S 4teen athletes receive is a private matter between them and G4S. However the support they receive is intended to directly help them in their sporting careers, by helping to fund equipment, training and travel to competitions.

Money is only a small part of the support the athletes receive, which includes access to educational support, an international network of athletes and advisers, and the help of the great Haile Gebrselassie.

G4S 4teen exists to support young athletes progress in their sporting careers and personal lives. Our goals for Eduardo are to help him to progress in his young sporting careers. We want to help him to achieve his sporting goals and ultimately to help him to qualify to compete at the Olympic Games.

We also want to support Eduardo in his personal life, but providing him with the support of G4S in Peru and around the world, and to help him develop new skills which will help him develop as a young man. For example, Eduardo will be offered English language and computer classes if he wishes.

Sport is a great area for us to be involved in, it’s something that can unite most people no matter what their background is and for that reason it works so well with our global company.

The qualities of a successful sportsperson can also be reflected in the business world, for example Eduardo also has a great level of dedication and focus which is something we can all learn from and use within the business.

We hope that the programme not only inspires and motivates our employees but also makes customers, investors and partners proud to be associated with G4S.