Allianz World Run contributes to Olympism365 by inspiring employees to get active for good
Allianz, the Official Worldwide Insurance Partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Movements, continues to inspire its employees around the world to get moving, while helping to raise funds to support various initiatives which contribute to the International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s Olympism365 strategy through improving access to the benefits of sport for more people and communities.
Celebrating this year’s Olympic Day, the Allianz World Run challenges the company’s employees to log their cumulative running distance and active minutes for 90 days, with their efforts unlocking contributions for charitable organisations when they reach certain milestones.
"We believe in the power of collective action and the ability to do good as we come together with our One Allianz spirit," said Eike Bürgel, Global Head Olympic & Paralympic Programme at Allianz. "Every year, our participants name their biggest motivation for being active: doing good for people in need. It's a testament to our commitment to leveraging sport as a force for positive change."
This year the Allianz World Run highlights the purpose-led partnership between Allianz and the IOC, with the initiative tying in with Allianz’s MoveNow programme and Let’s Move campaign led by the IOC, which aims to inspire young people across the globe to get active on the road to the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and beyond. As employees achieve certain milestones throughout the Allianz World Run challenge, Allianz will give donations to three remarkable charitable organisations from the Olympism365 portfolio of initiatives that share a common goal – empowering the next generation through education, sport and social development.
The objective of Allianz’s 2023 World Run – supporting initiatives to make a positive difference through sport – is aligned with the IOC’s Olympism365 strategy, which is focused on strengthening the role of sport as an enabler for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Among the supported initiatives is Kee-PING Hope, spearheaded by former table tennis champion Mayssa Bsaibes, an IOC Young Leader. Kee-PING Hope focuses on bringing joy and confidence back into the lives of children in Lebanon who have been affected by economic and political challenges. The organisation constructs sustainable table tennis tables, bats and nets, donating them to the SOS Children's Village in Lebanon, where they also provide training sessions, tournaments and life skills workshops.
The Sportic initiative, in Latin America, will also receive support as it aims to make significant contributions to youth development in Argentina, Colombia and Ecuador. By integrating sport and technology within the framework of the Olympic values, Sportic provides more than 10,000 young individuals between the ages of 12 and 18 with socio-emotional skills training. With a particular focus on gender and rights, Sportic utilises sports activities as a means for comprehensive human development, fostering personal growth and empowerment within local communities.
The third initiative supported is the O!Yes programme, delivered by the Olympafrica Foundation, which uses a unique approach that combines sports practice with the application of the Olympic values. This initiative engages young people aged 10 to 15 within their schools and communities, promoting social development, inclusion, gender equity and youth empowerment. Through safe and accessible sports, culture, education and socio-economic activities, O!Yes creates a supportive environment for the growth and development of African children and communities.
In addition, the Allianz World Run will support the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) in its mission to expand Paralympic sports and improve access for people with disabilities. The IPC's Asia Regional Sport Training event, scheduled for 2024, aims to provide sustainable pathways into para-professional and competitive sports. By fostering an inclusive world through the power of sports, this initiative seeks to empower athletes and promote global representation and diversity within the Paralympic Movement.
Speaking on behalf of the IOC, Olympism365 Associate Director Ollie Dudfield expressed the IOC’s alignment with Allianz’s commitment to harnessing the potential of sport to deliver positive social impact.
“Through the focus of its 2023 World Run initiative, Allianz are further demonstrating their commitment to harness the potential of sport to contribute to positive change in the lives of young people and build their confidence in the future. As an organisation committed to the same vision, we are proud to work with Allianz and our portfolio of Oympism365 partners to support more people and communities to benefit from the positive impact of sport."
The Allianz World Run embodies the vision of Olympism365, extending the positive impact of sport and the Olympic Games beyond elite sport and competition.
About Allianz
Allianz officially began its eight-year worldwide partnership with the Olympic and Paralympic Movements in 2021, building on a collaboration with the Paralympic Movement since 2006. As the Worldwide Insurance Partner, Allianz will continue to get behind the hopes, challenges and needs of the athlete community through insurance solutions and services, mentoring, career opportunities and health activities.
Olympism365 is the IOC’s strategy aimed at strengthening the role of sport as an important enabler for the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). The priority areas for Olympism365 reflect the role that sport and Olympism in society can play for the SDGs by contributing to creating healthier and more active communities, more equitable, safer, and inclusive communities, peacebuilding, and education and livelihoods.