Allianz and Deutsche Telekom are partners of the Paralympic Movement and support the German Paralympics Top Team on its way to the Paralympic Games in Beijing in September 2008. During the International Paralympic Day in Berlin on August 23, the sponsors will introduce their program to the public.
Allianz Deutschland AG
Berlin, Aug 21, 2007
Allianz promotes the paralympic movement
Since October 2006, Allianz and Deutsche Telekom are supporting the International Paralympic Movement. As Gold patrons of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the German National Paralympic Committee (NPC), the two companies particularly support the athletes of the German Paralympics Top Team.
Recently established by the German NPC, the team consists of 33 top athletes. The main goal of this commitment is to allow for employed Paralympic athletes to be released from work, enabling them to dedicate more time to their training. In return, the athletes’ employers will receive a financial compensation. The commitment is initially scheduled to run until the end of 2008.
"Top athletes need support in order to perform at world-class level. By establishing this program, Allianz and Deutsche Telekom enable athletes to concentrate on their sport and optimally prepare for their competitions," states Sir Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee.
Round table on Paralympic top-class sport
Allianz SE, Deutsche Telekom and the IPC will stage a press gathering during the International Paralympic Day 2007, featuring the topic "Paralympic Elite Level Sport - Aspiration, Reality and Perspective." By arranging this round table discussion, the partners aim to increase public awareness for the athletes and their sports as well as the acceptance of people with disabilities in general.
This round table discussion is the second event this year where Allianz and Deutsche Telekom work together. During the German President's Summer Party in July, the two business partners provided a Wheelchair Basketball court to allow the players of the German National Women's Team to showcase their skills. At the International Paralympic Day, Allianz and Deutsche Telekom are the presenting sponsors and will support the Mini-Paralympics event for children.
Further initiatives yet to come
"I am very pleased that Allianz, together with its partners, is able to support the people involved in the Paralympic Movement to achieve world-class performances," said Gerhard Rupprecht, member of the Allianz SE Board of Management.
"By supporting both sport for the disabled in Germany as well as the International Paralympic Movement, we have consequently extended our corporate responsibility and social commitment in the field of sports," highlights Karl-Gerhard Eick, board member and deputy CEO of Deutsche Telekom AG.
On the road to Beijing, further initiatives are still to come: In co-operation with public schools in Munich, Allianz plans a Paralympic Day, where young students through fun activities can develop a better understanding for people with a disability. By staging this event, Allianz aims to further develop IPC’s Paralympic School Day program to inspire children with disabled athletes and their sports.