The “Sporthilfe” (Swiss Sports Aid Foundation) will be the Main Charity Partner of the 2024 UCI Road and Para-cycling Road World Championships in Zurich, thereby reaffirming its renowned support for young cycling talents on their way to the top. Sporthilfe will also be a partner of the Charity Ride, which will take place on the opening day of the UCI Worlds on 21 September.
The Local Organising Committee (LOC) Zurich 2024 is proud to announce Sporthilfe as another strong partner of the UCI Road and Para-cycling Road World Championships next September. The focus of the partnership is the promotion of young talent – a goal that unites both organisations.
In addition, Sporthilfe is already supporting two of the official ambassadors for Zurich 2024: para-cyclists Flurina Rigling (multiple UCI World Champion and UCI World Cup winner) and Fabian Recher (first victory in a UCI Para-cycling Road World Cup in Ostend, Belgium, last weekend). Sporthilfe is also involved in the Tour de Romandie and the Tour de Suisse.
For Steve Schennach, Managing Director of Sporthilfe, the partnership is a flagship project. “The 2024 UCI Road and Para-cycling Road World Championships will see the most promising young Swiss hopefuls compete in both the non-para and para-cycling categories. Our support in cycling for many years has helped them to progress on their challenging path as top athletes. Sporthilfe is delighted to be part of this fantastic event as a main charity partner.”
Multifaceted partnership
As part of the partnership, Sporthilfe will be associated with the announcement of the Swiss U19 national team as additional World Championship ambassadors. The members of the team are expected to be selected by Swiss Cycling, the National Federation of cycling in Switzerland, at the beginning of September.
Sporthilfe is also supporting the charity ride on the opening day of the 2024 UCI Worlds as a partner. It leads from Zurich to Feldmeilen and back, covering 24.9km, with the start and finish at Sechseläutenplatz. A maximum of 600 participants will be able to participate. The ride is open to riders with and without disabilities; the ability level is not relevant. From 15 May 2024, registrations can be made exclusively via the portal of www.Ticketmaster.ch, the official ticket provider. CHF 50 of the entry fee proceeds per registration will go to Sporthilfe.
Sporthilfe is also planning a stand in one of the fan zones at the UCI Road and Para-cycling Road World Championships. Among others, bidons of the top riders – a coveted souvenir for all cycling fans – will be available in return for a donation.
“Sporthilfe supports Swiss athletes on their way to the top. It’s great that our event will make the promising Swiss U19 national team and young para-cyclists visible on this path at our UCI Worlds in September,” emphasised Ina Bauspiess, Head of Marketing and Sponsorship at LOC Zurich 2024.
About the Sporthilfe (Swiss Sports Aid Foundation, www.sporthilfe.ch)
Sporthilfe has been supporting Swiss athletes on their way to the top for over 50 years. Sporthilfe helps talented young athletes and their families to cope with the financial challenge, particularly at a young age and in fringe sports where media coverage, major sponsors and high prize money are lacking. Sporthilfe supports more than 1,000 Swiss sports hopefuls in over 80 sports with more than 10 million Swiss Francs a year. The funds flow directly in the form of individual sponsorship contributions, sponsorships and awards.
The Swiss Sports Aid Foundation is a non-subsidised, non-profit organisation with its headquarters in Ittigen near Bern. Together with Swiss Olympic and the Federal Office of Sport, it is one of the most important institutions in Swiss sport. The foundation generates its funding through support contributions, donations, events and partnerships with Loterie Romande and Swisslos, the Swiss Sports Promotion Foundation as well as companies and foundations.
