After the enthusiastic response to our first two initiatives, we have found an exciting new challenge to again raise money for four foundations and live our core values actively. In 2012, we will join together again – this time by bringing together the two sports we already know well, running and cycling, and adding one more: swimming.

The Win4Youth 2012 initiative will culminate in the Garmin Barcelona Triathlon in Spain. In October 2012, 74 Adecco colleagues will participate in this triathlon of Olympic distance. They will swim 1.5 km, cycle 40 km and run 10 km each.

In addition, all colleagues in more than 60 countries throughout the company are invited to organise their own running, biking or spinning and swimming events and to participate in local or national events.

Our goal is to circle the world 24 times until we clock up 1 million km. To reach our goal, we are very proud to count on Marc Herremans as the godfather of Win4Youth 2012. Marc Herremans was twice Belgian Champion in triathlon over an Olympic distance. In 2001, he was placed 6th at the Ironman of Hawaii, widely regarded as the toughest triathlon competition in the world.

In 2002, a cycling accident during training left Marc paralyzed from his chest to his toes. He would be forced to live in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Despite becoming paraplegic, Marc never gave up on his dream of winning the Ironman of Hawaii. Remarkably, only 3 months after the accident Marc began training for the Ironman Championship as a wheelchair athlete. In 2002, he was elected by the Belgian press as sports personality of the year. He earned the nickname "Mad Max" due to his determination and unwillingness to give up.

Marc participated in the Ironman of Hawaii in 2002, only 10 months after his accident. He participated again every following year. In 2006, he finally succeeded in his goal: he won the Ironman of Hawaii in the category for wheelchair athletes!