Top German Companies Invest in Paralympic Athletes

In the attendance of Prof. Dr. Horst Koehler, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Sir Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), Karl-Hermann Haack, President of the German National Paralympic Committee (NPC), Dr. Gerhard Rupprecht, Member of the Executive Board Allianz SE and Dr. Karl-Gerhard Eick, Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Chairman Deutsche Telekom AG, today signed an agreement to support athletes with a disability on their way to the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. The signing ceremony took place during a press conference at the Villa Hammerschmidt - the second official residence of the President of the Federal Republic of Germany - in Bonn, Germany.

The agreement includes sustainable support of the Paralympic Movement and especially a financial contribution to athletes of the 'German Paralympics Top Team' for their preparation for the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.

"The commitment of Allianz and Deutsche Telekom is exemplary. Every day, Paralympic athletes exceed what others had thought was possible by pushing themselves to the limit. This collaboration helps Paralympic athletes to concentrate on their training and to excite and inspire the world with their achievements," said IPC President Sir Philip.

The main goal of the support of the 'German Paralympics Top Team' is to allow for Paralympic athletes in employment to be released from work, enabling them to dedicate more time to their training. In return, the athletes' employers will receive a financial compensation. Approximately 30 to 40 athletes will be nominated by the NPC Germany to the 'German Paralympics Top Team'.

Said German NPC President Karl-Hermann Haack: "The Top Team gives our athletes the chance to continue to compete on the same level as other large countries in the Paralympic Movement."

The close collaboration between Allianz, Deutsche Telekom, IPC and NPC Germany will also support the development of potential future Paralympians. The IPC Education Programme, and especially the Paralympic School Day and International Paralympic Day, will educate youth about Paralympic Sport and disability issues in a fun and playful environment. Ultimately the aim is to change perceptions of people with a disability through different types of activities.

"Paralympic athletes symbolize power, endurance and assertiveness. This makes them role models and perfect ambassadors. I am delighted that Allianz and Deutsche Telekom realize this potential," said President Koehler.

During his visit to the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games earlier this year, President Koehler encouraged key German companies to further support sport for athletes with a disability.

Dr. Eick, Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Chairman Deutsche Telekom AG, emphasized: "The support of sport for persons with a disability and of the Paralympic Movement is a consistent development of our corporate responsibility in society in the area of sport."

"I am pleased that Allianz together with its partners supports the aim of the Paralympic Movement and athletes with a disability to strive for excellence. All the best for Beijing 2008," added Dr. Rupprecht, Executive Board Member Allianz SE.