Allianz celebrates 20 years of partnership with International Paralympic Committee

At 11 days to the start of the Milan Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games and just hours away from the arrival of the Paralympic Flame in Italy, Allianz celebrated with a grand event titled “Passion without Limits – Allianz and the Paralympic Journey” two decades of partnership with the International Paralympic Committee and its role as Presenting Partner of the Milan Cortina 2026 Paralympic Flame Journey.

Allianz has proudly been a Partner of the IPC since 2006 and has been the Official Insurer of the Olympics and Paralympics since 2021, and will accompany all editions of the Games until 2032. With the event organized in the Torre Allianz Auditorium in Milan – where the Italian Paralympic House will also be based in the Lombard capital during the Paralympic Winter Games – Allianz wanted to celebrate Sport and its all-round commitment to the sports ecosystem.

The President of the International Paralympic Committee Andrew Parsons, the President of the Organizing Committee of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Giovanni Malagò, the President of the Italian Paralympic Committee Giunio De Sanctis and Allianz Italia CEO Giacomo Campora, together with Allianz’s top management, reviewed Allianz’s 20-year commitment to Paralympic sports, the successes of the Olympic Games, and emphasized the continuity between the Olympics and Paralympics, in the belief that all athletes are equal, men and women of sport for whom the act of sportsmanship matters and should be valued. In an increasingly divided world, Allianz helps unite people in peaceful competition in one of the world’s greatest sporting events.

A continuity of vision, values, in organization and timing that knows no pause: on Sunday, Feb. 22, the Olympic Flame went out, consecrating the Italian edition of the Winter Olympic Games that has already entered history for being the first edition to be widespread, respectful of territories, with a strong legacy and balanced in gender.

On Feb. 24, the Paralympic Flame will be lit in Stoke Mandeville in the United Kingdom and will arrive in Turin, from where the Journey will start, which – with Allianz at its side – will cross Italy for eleven days, accompanying the protagonists and fans to the Paralympic Winter Games from March 6 to 15, 2026. Underlining the continuity of the sports event is the choice to celebrate in the same wonderful setting, the Arena of Verona, the conclusion of the Winter Olympic Games and the opening of the Paralympic Winter Games.

Giovanni Malagò, President of the Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milan Cortina 2026, stressed, “The Paralympics in Milan Cortina 2026 are about to begin and represent a precious moment for Italy: an opportunity to show not only the organizational capacity of the country, but above all the strength of a movement that, over the years, has been able to grow, innovate and change the way we look at sport and people. The journey of the Paralympic Movement, internationally and nationally, has been extraordinary. The Milan Cortina Games are not simply its celebration: they are its driving force. With more than 600 athletes set to compete between Milan and our mountains, the Paralympics will offer the public stories, gestures and performances that can deeply inspire. Because the value of the Games is measured not only in medals, but in the ability to convey determination, courage and possibility. We are proud to host this historic step. And we are ready to show that the excellence to which we aspire knows no barriers: it is made of inclusion, of opportunity, of vision. It is made of the future.”

Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee, said, “From 2006 onward, Allianz’s commitment to the Paralympic Movement has been unwavering. Their support has helped us bring Paralympic sport to millions of people around the world and has played a key role in’raising the profile of the athletes, competitions and stories that define our Movement. Over the past two decades, this partnership has allowed the IPC to grow into the’organization it is today. Importantly, Allianz&#8217s support has gone far beyond our headquarters. It has strengthened International Federations, supported National Paralympic Committees, fostered countless World and Regional Championships, and promoted events such as International Paralympic Day and the Paralympic Sport and Media Awards. In short, the partnership with Allianz has helped secure the future of the Paralympic Movement and prepared us for the best.”

Giunio De Sanctis, President of the Italian Paralympic Committee, added, “The partnership between Allianz and the International Paralympic Committee has lasted for more than 20 years and represents a concrete example of ongoing support for the Paralympic Movement globally. A commitment that, thanks to the work shared with the CIP, also translates in Italy into projects and initiatives capable of spreading the values of Paralympic sport and inclusion.

In the run-up to the Milan Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, Allianz is playing an important role in promoting the Paralympic spirit, including through its ambassadors and support for the Paralympic Flame Journey, with Flame Festivals and Flame Visits, moments of great participation for the territories. Particularly significant will also be the hospitality, on the 47th floor of the Allianz Tower, of the CIP hospitality house during the Games: a point of reference for the Italian delegation and for the athletes of paraice-hockey, the only discipline that will compete in Milan, where they can share and celebrate the successes of the Italian team.”

Giacomo Campora, CEO of Allianz S.p.A., said, “These Games are already in history, thanks to the closeness of all the institutions, the vision of Giovanni Malagò, the capabilities of CONI, now led by Luciano Buonfiglio, and the collaboration of Partners like Allianz who work to support the Olympic movement. As an Italian I am proud of what our country has shown to the whole world, and as a businessman I am equally proud of what Allianz has been putting in – for five years, not a few months – to support the organization, security and magic of Milan Cortina 2026. Now the dream continues with the Paralympic Games. I would like to thank IPC President Andrew Parsons and CIP President Giunio De Sanctis for pointing out that Allianz, in these 20 years of partnership, has helped the Paralympic Movement to grow and prepare for the best year after year, including in Italy. The Paralympics celebrate Sport and the value of athletes, before disability.”

Some partnerships are defined by a moment of conviction, before the outcome is clear. For Allianz, that is how the partnership with the Paralympic Movement began 20’years ago, rooted in a clear belief: sports can change lives. Paralympic sports demonstrate how movement helps people gain self-confidence and find purpose. They promote inclusion by creating spaces where people with and without disabilities meet on equal terms, learning, competing and progressing together. Paralympic athletes, in this context, are powerful role models, demonstrating resilience, preparedness and belief in what is possible.

The story begins in 2006, when Allianz first forged a link with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the German Disabled Sports Association (DBS). This led to an early commitment to support the Paralympic Movement, which has developed year after year into a deeper strategic relationship. In its early years, Allianz’s involvement reflected the times: the Paralympic Movement was still building global visibility and many partnerships relied heavily on advocacy. But the relationship developed quickly.

Over time, the partnership with Allianz evolved from initial support to becoming the IPC&#8217s first international partner in 2011. This marked a different model: not just donations, but a partnership built through shared planning, service offerings, and long-term storytelling.

The Allianz partnership has been a partnership with Allianz.

Milan-Cortina 2026 therefore marks the 20-year anniversary since Allianz’s journey with the Paralympic Movement began.

Eike Bürgel, Head of the Olympic and Paralympic Partnership at Allianz SE commented: “Nothing else strengthens, unites and brings out the best in people like Sport, and the Olympic and Paralympic Movements embody the essence of Sport and unite people around the world. Over these 20 years, Allianz&#8217s involvement has been instrumental in raising the visibility and professionalism of Paralympic sports, expanding inclusion and bringing together athletes, families and fans in shared celebration of human potential. I sincerely thank the Paralympic Movement, its President Andrew Parsons and its teams for two decades of such an exciting, fruitful and enriching partnership”.

Allianz has grown with the Movement and is preparing to enter the next era alongside it. This era will be defined by new challenges: expanding Paralympic sport in underrepresented regions, creating digital platforms that make the Movement accessible year-round, and ensuring that the professionalization achieved at the elite level is extended to grassroots structures.

Allianz has grown with the Movement and is preparing to enter the next era alongside it.

As Los Angeles 2028, French Alps 2030 and Brisbane 2032 approach, the partnership will continue to evolve, not by doing more than it already has, but by asking what the Movement&#8217s next needs are and working together to achieve this.

Allianz Italia has always recognized in the values of sports – loyalty, competition, fairness and team spirit – the inspiration for its daily actions and therefore supports multiple initiatives and institutions in the field of sports in our country. With the activation of the Olympic and Paralympic Partnership, this commitment has been further and significantly expanded: in fact, Allianz Italia has developed strategic partnerships with the national sports world from CONI to CIP, from the Fiamme Oro State Police Sports Group to numerous Federations, as well as choosing among Italian Olympic and Paralympic athletes its own “Team Allianz” of Ambassadors to the Paris 2024 and Milan Cortina 2026 Games.

The Allianz Group has also been able to support the Italian sports world by supporting the Italian Olympic and Paralympic athletes in the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Valentina Sestan, Head of the Olympic and Paralympic Partnership of Allianz S.p.A. explained, “Allianz is at the side of Milano Cortina by hosting since 2021 the Organizing Committee headquarters in Allianz Tower and is the official insurer of the Games. Building on the successful experience of Paris 2024, we wanted to expand the activities dedicated to these Winter Games in Italy by involving with many appreciated initiatives all our community: customers, agents and our employees. We are, moreover, Presenting Partner of the Milan Cortina 2026 Paralympic Flame Journey, a unique opportunity to tell the story of a luminous path through Italy, connecting territories, stories and people in an exciting and deeply human collective participation experience.”

During the Paralympic Winter Games, the 47th floor of Torre Allianz, transformed into a cozy mountain chalet, will be the CIP Italian Paralympic House in Milan. A space designed as an institutional and relational hub where athletes, institutions, partners and media will meet to celebrate together the values of Paralympic sport and inclusion.

The Milan Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games will take place from March 6 to 15: Para Alpine Skiing and Para Snowboarding (Olympia delle Tofane) and Wheelchair Curling (Olympic Ice Stadium) will take place in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Para Biathlon and Para Cross-Country Skiing in Tesero (Fabio Canal Center), and Para Ice Hockey in Milan (Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena). The Opening Ceremony will be held at the Arena di Verona on March 6 and the Closing Ceremony in Cortina d’Ampezzo on March 15, 2026.

The Milan Cortina 2026 Foundation and Allianz have created a project that goes beyond the sporting dimension: the Journey of the Paralympic Flame is a 13-stage journey over 11 days that will involve 501 torchbearers – including 200 Allianz employees and agents – transforming Italy into a stage of collective inclusion and participation. Illustrating the Journey of the Paralympic Flame was Maria Laura Iascone, Ceremonies Director Milano Cortina 2026, who explained, “The Journey of the Paralympic Flame is one of the most significant moments of the entire Milano Cortina 2026 project. Eleven days of authentic celebration, ignited by a magic that only an experience of this magnitude can unleash. The message of the Games will fill every street and every square with emotion: the Italian communities and the Paralympic spirit will merge into one great energy. The public is not a spectator, but a protagonist, capable of transforming anticipation into excitement. An extraordinary journey that will start on Feb. 24 and culminate, on March 6, in the excitement of the Opening Ceremony in the iconic Verona Arena.”

After the ignition in Stoke Mandeville, the historical cradle of the Paralympic Movement, the Flame will make its entrance into Italy tomorrow in Turin, from which the Journey will start. It will be an’initiative divided into three celebratory formats. Five cities in the North – Turin, Milan, Bolzano, Trento and Trieste – will host Flame Festivals, large square events where the Allianz Village will transform urban spaces into experiential hubs open to the public for free. The squares will feature stages with entertainment, interactive quizzes on Paralympic values and interviews with torchbearer athletes, while Challenge Zones will offer inclusive play activities. The Educational Area, curated by the Allianz UMANA MENTE Foundation, will offer content on projects supporting people with disabilities. Each stage will culminate in the lighting of the Brazier, a moment of collective unity and celebration.

Allianz wanted to extend the Journey of the Paralympic Flame to Central and Southern Italy with four Flame Visits – Rome, Bari, Naples and Bologna. In these cities, the large Allianz Truck, equipped with LED big screens, will become a mobile stage, stopping in the main squares, where DJ sets, entertainment and the lighting of the Brazier will bring the energy of the Journey, allowing torchbearers to share their stories of resilience with local communities.

Cortina d’Ampezzo will host the Union Ceremony on March 3, a symbolic moment when the Flames from the different routes will converge to give birth to a single Paralympic Flame. An evocative transparent geodesic structure will welcome visitors and students in an immersive environment, with photo sets, game stations and multimedia content telling the story of the values of Allianz and the Games.

The final phase will see the relay race cross the Veneto region, touching numerous towns and cities in the provinces of Venice, Padua, and Verona, accompanied by the Allianz Truck that will spread music, entertainment and excitement along the streets, while in the squares the geodesic structure will continue to offer interactive experiences. On March 6, at the Arena in Verona, the Journey will culminate in the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Winter Games, marking the official start of the competitions.