Allianz-Partnership
Allianz SE has been supporting the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) since 2006, promoting an active, emotional and natural fascination with all kinds of Paralympic Sports. In 2011, Allianz SE became the first “International Partner” of the IPC, as well as a “National Supporter” of a total of eight National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) on a local level.
The NPC in Germany is represented by the DBS (Deutscher Behindertensportverband). One of its programs is the German Paralympic Top Team, which helps the respective athletes prepare for the Paralympic Games in a professional way. With a leave of absence and a compensation payment for the athletes' employer, the program allows the necessary practice for a successful participation at the Paralympic Games or other important competitions. The Top Team of Germany is a very effective and innovative program that is supported by Allianz as well.
The claim “Motivation to move on. Strength to move up.” serves as a guiding principle for all Allianz activities related to the Paralympics Partnership. The motivation and strength of the Paralympic Athletes can serve as an inspiration for Allianz employees and the general public worldwide.
Allianz helps promote the Paralympic Movement by accumulating and distributing information on Paralympic Sports in a campaign entitled ”Sharing Paralympic Knowledge“. Simultaneously, the emotional campaign “Believe in Yourself” encourages the public to identify with the inspiring achievements of Athletes and find motivation to move on and strength to move up within themselves.
Sir Philip Craven, President of the IPC
The International Paralympic Committee
Founded in 1989, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has the vision to enable Paralympic athletes worldwide to achieve sporting excellence and to inspire and excite the world.
The IPC is one of the largest democratic non-profit sport organizations in the world. In 2001, Sir Philip Craven from Great Britain was elected president to lead the organization. Its membership includes, amongst others, more than 160 National Paralympic Committees (NPCs).
The IPC organizes, supervises, and coordinates the Paralympic Summer and Winter Games, but also other competitions including world and regional championships in 11 sports. Representing the vast majority of athletes with a disability, it has taken sport to a new and higher level, providing unique opportunities from a developmental to an elite sport level.
By promoting the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration, and equality, the IPC is a central organ for supporting the integration of persons with a disability, and strengthens their position in society by changing public perception.
The Paralympic Symbol
The Paralympic symbol consists of three elements in red, blue, and green – the three colors that are most widely represented in national flags around the world. It is a symbol that is in motion, with three Agitos (from the Latin word "agito," meaning "I move") encircling a center point, emphasizing the role that the IPC has of bringing athletes from all corners of the world together and enabling them to compete. It also stresses the fact that Paralympic athletes are constantly inspiring and exciting the world with their performances – always moving forward and never giving up – as embodied in the Paralympic vision "To Enable Paralympic Athletes to Achieve Sporting Excellence and to Inspire and Excite the World".
"Spirit in Motion" is the Paralympic motto, expressing the inspirational character of the Paralympic Movement as well as the elite performance of Paralympic athletes. It also stands for the strong will of every athlete. The word “Spirit” implies that the IPC is not limited to only staging high-performance sport, but that there is a strong message behind the movement. "Motion," on the other hand, implies that the IPC is an organization on the move.