With the arrival of the 2024 Summer Olympics this month, HR leaders may be watching the next crop of athletes who could be transformed into highly valued corporate employees.

That was the case for professional services firm EY during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Executives, including HR leaders, representing EY, a sponsor of the 2016 games, met and interacted with top athletes during the event, sparking an idea for the firm's Athlete Programs that would tap into an additional talent pool.

The executives recognized former Olympians and professional athletes as potential talent with different backgrounds, educational experiences and skill sets from other candidates, says Dan Black, global talent strategy and organizational effectiveness leader at EY. Such distinct skills and qualities include adaptability, resilience, self-motivation and a strong desire for feedback, he says.