Adecco, the world’s largest recruiter, will sponsor the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin and recruit the 20,000 volunteers needed to run the event.

The firm will also recruit and train the 400 full-time employees of the event’s organisation committee and help develop their careers once the games are over.

Adecco faces the mammoth task of assessing and evaluating an estimated 50,000 applications. It will manage the candidates and organise the recruitment drive through its 11 branches in Turin.

A dedicated team of five people will manage the operation from an on-site branch and potential volunteers will be able to apply online. Candidates will then be screened using the internet and those reaching the next stage will be invited to an interview.

Successful applicants will then attend two basic training courses on Olympic culture, and leadership and teambuilding.

Adecco chief executive Jérôme Caille said: “We are delighted to be part of such a wonderful celebration of sporting excellence. Adecco is associated with its support for sport as it is a perfect way to project our own value of teamwork and belief that people can make the difference through challenge, dedication and commitment.”