Allianz World Run Contributes to Olympism365 & Youth Development Initiatives
July 14, 2023
Ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Official Worldwide Insurance Partner of the Olympic and Paralympic movement, Allianz, has launched the Allianz World Run employee challenge to help get people moving and raise funds to support the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Olympism365 strategy. As participants surpass challenge milestones, donations will be awarded to organizations in the Olympism365 portfolio who are empowering youth through sport, education and social development.
Olympism365 intends to strengthen the role of sport as an important enabler for the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is focused on ensuring that more people from diverse backgrounds benefit from community sport programs; improving recogntion of sports organizations as essential services; and increasing collaborations between the sports movement, the health and development sector and for-purpose businesses. The challenge kicked off on Olympic Day (June 23) and ties in with Allianz’s MoveNow program and Let’s Move campaign led by the IOC, which aim to inspire young people globally to get active in the lead-up Paris 2024 and beyond.
Employees log their cumulative running distance and active minutes for 90 days, and when they reach certain milestones, Allianz will contribute to three selected Olympism365 organizations. These charities include Kee-PING Hope in Lebanon, the Sportic initiative in Latin America and the O!Yes program delivered by Olympafrica Foundation in Africa.
Kee-PING Hope is spearheaded by former table tennis champion and IOC Young Leader Mayssa Bsaibes. It focuses on bringing joy and confidence back into the lives of children in Lebanon who have been affected by economic and political challenges. In addition to donated sustainable table tennis equipment, it provides training sessions, tournaments and life skill workshops to the SOS Children’s Village in Lebanon.
The Sportic initiative provides more than 10,000 youth between 12 and 18 with socio-emotional skills training with the aim of contributing to youth development in Argentina, Colombia and Ecuador. By integrating sport and technology with the Olympic values with a particular focus on gender and rights, it uses sport as a tool for human development, personal growth and empowerment within local communities.
The O!Yes programme, delivered by the Olympafrica Foundation, promotes social development, inclusion, gender equity and youth empowerment among young people aged 10 to 15. Through safe and accessible sports, culture, education and socio-economic activities, it creates a supportive environment for the development of African children and communities.
With over 10,375 participants worldwide, the challenge ends on September 21. It will also support the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) in its mission to expand Para sports and improve access for people with disabilities.
“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."
Olympism365's priority areas intend to 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.
Source: IOC