Top German Companies Extend Paralympic Involvement

Said Mr. Sagarra: “The extension that these companies have agreed to indicates their ongoing support towards the Paralympic Movement. The close collaboration helps the IPC to bring forward the Paralympic Movement and to spread the Paralympic values of determination, courage, inspiration and equality.”

Invited by Prof. Dr. Horst Koehler, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Dr. Gerhard Rupprecht, Member of the Executive Board Allianz SE, Dr. Karl-Gerhard Eick, Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Chairperson Deutsche Telekom AG, as well as Miguel Sagarra, Vice-President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and Karl-Hermann Haack, President of the German National Paralympic Committee (NPC), met at the Villa Hammerschmidt - the second official residence of the President - in Bonn, Germany, to commemorate this occasion.

In 2006, the IPC, Allianz SE and Deutsche Telekom AG have agreed to join forces to promote the growth and impact of the global Paralympic Movement, thus using the power of top-performance sports as a platform to promote the rights of persons with a disability to be full and active members of society. The companies will continue to be a Gold Patron of the IPC, providing it with crucial financial and promotional support that will allow the IPC to fulfill its mission.

Said Mr. Sagarra: “The extension that these companies have agreed to indicates their ongoing support towards the Paralympic Movement. The close collaboration helps the IPC to bring forward the Paralympic Movement and to spread the Paralympic values of determination, courage, inspiration and equality.”

The agreement between Allianz, Deutsche Telekom and IPC includes sustainable support of the Paralympic Movement. In a separate agreement with the NPC of Germany, both companies also agreed on a financial contribution to athletes of the 'German Paralympics Top Team’ for their preparation for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

Dr. Eick, Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Chairman Deutsche Telekom AG, emphasized: “In order to achieve the highest level of performance, athletes need to have ambition, professionalism, and a good team as a foundation. These characteristics can also contribute to a successful entrepreneur. We therefore see the athletes as role models who we strongly support.”

Within the framework of the agreement, Allianz SE and Deutsche Telekom AG will be involved in the International Paralympic Day (IPD) in 2009. The IPD is a multi-sport event comprising exhibitions of various Paralympic sports. Throughout the day, different sports will be represented through Paralympic athletes and the spectators are encouraged to make their own Paralympic experience through try-outs. The 2009 edition of the IPD will again be hosted by the City of Berlin and take place in July around the Brandenburg Gate.

“We want to encourage more people with a disability to participate in sport, so that it ultimately contributes to a stronger integration for people with a disability. And at the same time, the athletes are seen as sports and business role models, which further emphasizes their significance,” added Dr. Rupprecht, Executive Board Member Allianz SE.