© Bernd Ducke
As it did before the Olympic Games, FC Bayern is once again lighting up its Allianz Arena in the colours of host country Italy at the start of the Paralympic Games in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo to wish the athletes with disabilities success in their disciplines. In addition, the German record champions want to raise awareness for the topic of inclusion once again. The lighting will be switched on after Friday’s match against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Herbert Hainer: “Inclusion should never be a project”
Herbert Hainer, president: “The Paralympics are one of the most powerful symbols that there are no limits to top performance. Inclusion should never be a project, but rather a lived conviction, which is why it is important to FC Bayern to support the city of Munich in its bid for the Games. We wish all athletes every success for the 2026 Paralympics.”
Last autumn, FC Bayern campaigned strongly for Munich's bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the run-up to the referendum. The vote then expressed clear support. Now it is time to join forces in sport, the city and the state to get the bid off the ground. Figures such as Uli Hoeneß, Manuel Neuer, Giulia Gwinn and Andreas Obst have campaigned for Munich to host the Games.
Just recently, before the home game against Hoffenheim, FC Bayern once again set an example for inclusion. FC Bayern Hilfe eV donated the proceeds from cup deposits, which visitors can donate by placing them in special collection bins at every match, to the German Amputee Football League (DAFL). Before kick-off, CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen welcomed athletes and DAFL representatives to the Allianz Arena pitch alongside partner Coca-Cola and explained: “Inclusion is an integral part of our values. You can see that every matchday, for example, when our players present their names for people with hearing impairments during the team line-up. Supporting the DAFL is another clear sign for us that football belongs to everyone.”
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