Allianz Strengthens its Paralympic Support

"For the past five years, the IPC and Allianz have grown together through a mutually beneficial partnership."

One of the world’s leading integrated financial services providers, Allianz SE, has strengthened its support of the Paralympic Movement by renewing its global partnership with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and agreeing six further partnerships with National Paralympic Committees.

After five years as Gold Patron of the IPC, Allianz has agreed a two year renewal which will see it upgraded to become the organization’s first “International Partner”.

In addition to its support of the German and Portuguese National Paralympic Committees, Allianz has become “National Supporter” of six more National Paralympic Committees – Australia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Ireland, Switzerland and Turkey.

Sir Philip Craven, the IPC’s President said: “For the past five years, the IPC and Allianz have grown together through a mutually beneficial partnership.

“They are an extremely active and loyal partner who continues to contribute towards the aims of the Paralympic Movement. We are delighted that they are extending their involvement with the IPC by becoming our first “International Partner” and also supporting eight National Paralympic Committees as “National Supporter”.”

"There is a strong link that ties Allianz to the Paralympics,” said Werner Zedelius, member of the Board of Management of Allianz SE. “The topics of health, rehabilitation and reintegration after a casualty are part of our daily business. 650 million people worldwide are living with a disability, but disability is an issue not only for those directly affected: one in four Europeans has a family member with a disability. Extending your view on co-workers, neighbors and friends, you will find that disability is an issue that concerns all of us.”

As part of its Paralympic partnership, Allianz actively promotes the Paralympic Movement and aims to reduce social reservations towards impairment and sports. Under the motto ”Sharing Paralympic Knowledge” information on Paralympic Sport disciplines is distributed widely. An emotional campaign titled “Believe in Yourself” encourages the public and staff members to identify with the inspiring achievements of Paralympic athletes. Seminars and talks for Allianz employees with Paralympic athletes are part of the successful sponsorship package.

“Allianz sees Paralympic athletes as role models for true motivation and as the most credible personalities to give advice on managing personal crisis,” said Joseph K. Gross, Head of Group Market Management at Allianz SE. “Athletes help us understand our customers’ needs even better by seeing how sport helps people master their personal challenges.”

In 2006, Allianz entered the partnership with the IPC as “Gold Patron” and with DBS (Deutscher Behindertensportverband, German National Paralympic Committee) as “Official Partner of the German Paralympic Top Team”. The claim “Motivation to move on. Strength to move up” serves as a guiding principle for all Allianz activities related to the Paralympics partnership. With its renewed engagement, Allianz will continue to bring the Paralympic Community forward and focus even more strongly on the motivation and strength of the Paralympic athletes.

About Allianz Group

Together with its customers and sales partners, Allianz is one of the strongest financial communities. More than 76 million private and corporate customers rely on Allianz's knowledge, global reach, capital strength and solidity to help them make the most of financial opportunities and to avoid and safeguard themselves against risks.

In 2010 151,000 employees in 70 countries achieved total revenue of 106.5 billion Euros and an operating profit of 8.2 billion Euros. Benefits for our customers reached 91.4 billion Euros.

This business success with insurance, asset management and assistance services is based increasingly on customer demand for crisis-proof financial solutions for an ageing society and the challenges of climate change. Transparency and integrity are key components of sustainable corporate governance at Allianz SE.

Notes to the Editor:

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement. The IPC organizes the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games, and serves as the International Federation for nine sports, for which it supervises and co-ordinates the World Championships and other competitions. The IPC is committed to enabling Paralympic athletes to achieve sporting excellence and to developing sport opportunities for all persons with a disability from the beginner to elite level. In addition, the IPC aims to promote the Paralympic values, which include courage, determination, inspiration and equality.

Founded on 22 September 1989, the IPC is an international non-profit organization formed and run by 170 National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) from five regions and four disability specific international sports federations (IOSDs). The IPC Headquarters and its management team are located in Bonn, Germany.

For further information, please contact Craig Spence, IPC Media and Communications Senior Manager on e-mail: craig.spence@paralympic.org or call +49-228-2097-230. Alternatively, please visit www.paralympic.org or www.ParalympicSport.TV