US investment banking company Citi has today (Thursday) stepped up its commitment to the Paralympic Movement by agreeing to become an International Partner of the International Paralympic Committee.
The contract, which will run through to 2020, will see Citi support National Paralympic Committees in 18 countries as they prepare for upcoming world and regional championships, as well as the Tokyo 2020 summer Paralympic Games.
The 18 NPCs Citi will sponsor include: Australia, Taiwan, Colombia, Costa Rica, Great Britain, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, Poland, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand and the UAE.
Citi serves clients through a local presence in each of these 18 NPC communities and will engage fans through integrated marketing campaigns and promotions in an effort to generate excitement and national pride around the accomplishments of the countries’ Para athletes. Citi will also work to help support the day-to-day needs of individual NPCs.
Citi becomes the third company to sign on as an International Partner, the second tier of the IPC’s sponsorship tree, joining Allianz and BP.
IPC president Andrew Parsons said: “Citi has been involved in the Paralympic Movement for more than six years and we look forward to working closely with them to explore opportunities to further awareness of how our work transforms society and drives social inclusion.”
Citi began its relationship with the Paralympic Movement in 2012 with its sponsorship of the US Olympic and Paralympic teams. During that time, Citi has supported eight US Paralympians and featured them prominently in their marketing campaigns, backed US Paralympic sports programmes, and featured them in colleague engagement promotions.
In 2018, Citi served as a sponsor of the Wheelchair Rugby World Championship in Australia, World Para Swimming European Championships in Ireland, Asian Para Games in Indonesia, and Para Powerlifting Americas Open Championships in Bogota, Colombia.