Allianz, a long-term supporter of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the Paralympic Movement, is to become a Worldwide Paralympic Partner from 2021.

In a partnership announced on Tuesday (18 September) by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the insurer will join the “Worldwide Olympic Partner” (TOP) Programme in 2021, in an agreement that also covers the IPC and the Paralympic Games.

Andrew Parsons, IPC President, said: “It is fantastic news, that Allianz, a company that has supported the Paralympic Movement for more than a decade is to become a Worldwide Paralympic Partner.

“Since 2006 when Allianz first became an IPC sponsor it has steadily increased its support of the IPC becoming our first International Partner in 2011. It has also supported a number of Para sports and several National Paralympic Committees. We are delighted the company’s involvement will now extend to the Paralympic Games from 2021 onwards.

“Allianz is an organisation that strongly values its relationship with the Paralympic Movement and we look forward to extending our partnership with them through until at least the LA 2028 Paralympics.

“This announcement is also a further sign of the long-term partnership between the IOC and IPC paying dividend for both Movements.”

Jean-Marc Pailhol, Head of Group Market Management and Distribution at Allianz SE, added: “As a world-leading insurer, Allianz is directly embedded in all the great events which make and transform our global society. That is why becoming the Worldwide TOP Partner in the insurance category of the IOC and the IPC is important for us.

"Having had more than a decade of success with the IPC, as well as with National Paralympic Committees from around the world, we’re looking forward to continuing to work together to share our joint passion for sport and the social, physical and mental benefits it brings to humanity.”

The sponsorship period will cover the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024, the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games 2026 and the Olympic and Paralympic Games LA 2028.

Allianz will remain as an IPC International Partner until the end of 2020. The insurer is also a global partner of World Para Athletics until the end of 2018, with an option to extend the deal through to 2020.

In March 2018, the IOC and IPC established a long-term partnership between the two organisations through to 2032. As part of this agreement, from 2021 onwards all Worldwide TOP Partners will also be Partners of the IPC and the Paralympic Games.