Germany's most sports-friendly company 2024 - Olympic Park Munich GmbH wins award

Marion Schöne, Managing Director of Olympic Park Munich GmbH: 'We are delighted to receive this award. For us, it is confirmation, recognition and an incentive for our work in the interests of top-class sport. Whether as a sponsor of the Bavarian Olympic Training Centre or as an employer who supports athletes in their dual careers and at the same time offers excellent training opportunities. We also provide a unique stage for elite sport by organising major sporting events such as the 2024 European Handball Championships and the 2022 European Football Championships, and we try to set new standards in the way these events are staged. In short, top-level sport is close to our hearts and is at home in the Olympic Park.

Key criteria for the selection of the award winners were the long-term nature of the partnership, the time flexibility and individual planning options for the athletes in their training and career, as well as the close cooperation with the Bavarian Olympic Training Centre.

DOSB President Thomas Weikert: "You can only pursue a career in competitive sport with peace of mind if you have sufficient security. Companies that stand by their athletes and understand the special demands of competitive sport should be recognised for their commitment. Olympiapark München GmbH and Marion Schöne are leading the way and showing how to offer athletes an environment that promotes competitive sport and allows them to fulfil their potential.

Minister of State Joachim Herrmann, Chairman of the Conference of Sports Ministers 2023/24: "The past Olympic and Paralympic Games have impressively demonstrated the importance of intensive support for our athletes, who often have a regular job in addition to their competitive sport. It is therefore a personal concern of mine that Bavarian companies not only offer our top athletes career prospects, but also actively support their sporting careers. The Olympic Park Munich GmbH supports athletes in a special way and offers the best conditions for major sporting events by providing excellent framework conditions and is therefore an important supporter of top-class sport and top-class athletes".

DIHK President Peter Adrian said: "I would like to thank Olympic Park Munich GmbH for its commitment to enabling athletes to pursue a dual career. This gives talented young people the chance to be successful in sport and work at the same time. This is also an advantage for companies. After all, many of the skills that are important for athletes, such as motivation and perseverance, are also of great importance for professional success. This gives companies the opportunity to recruit interesting and achievement-oriented professionals. We are therefore delighted that committed companies are seizing this opportunity and setting an example for others.'

Further information

The prize has been awarded annually by the DOSB, the SMK and the DIHK since 2015.

The Olympic Park in Munich is an international event centre, sports and leisure park and world-renowned tourist attraction. 34 world championships, 21 European championships and well over 100 German championships, as well as many other important national and international sporting events, have filled the chronicle since the 1972 Olympic Games. The Olympic site in the north of Munich is operated by Olympiapark München GmbH (OMG), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the City of Munich.

The company was selected by a jury made up of representatives from the DOSB, the Olympic training centres, the spokesperson group of career advisors, Sporthilfe, Athletenkommission/Athleten Deutschland e.V. and, on behalf of the SMK, the Ministry of the Interior, Municipal Affairs, Housing and Sport of the state of Schleswig-Holstein.