Tipico and Germany's Sporthilfe have announced the first 62 athletes selected to receive support through the newly established Tipico Champion Fund.
The Tipico Champion Fund is an initiative designed to provide tailored financial assistance to elite athletes across more than 30 sports.
The programme was created as part of the partnership between Sporthilfe and the Tipico Champion Initiative, with funding allocated according to each athlete's individual performance needs rather than through fixed grants.
Supported projects include recovery and regeneration programmes, performance diagnostics, sports psychology, mental coaching and other specialist services intended to help athletes prepare for future international competitions.
Among the first recipients are Olympic rowing champion Oliver Zeidler, Paralympic swimming champion Josia Topf, Para Nordic skiing world champion Johanna Recktenwald and European judo champion Alina Böhm.
According to Sporthilfe, almost 100 athletes applied for the inaugural funding round, with the final 62 selected by an independent committee comprising former Olympic, Paralympic and world champions, following approval from each athlete's respective sports federation.
"The overwhelming response makes it clear how important this kind of support is for our athletes," said Karin Orgeldinger, Sporthilfe Board Member for Athlete Support.
“With the 'Tipico Champion Fund' we close a decisive funding gap and create additional opportunities to enable sporting excellence on the way to the Olympic and Paralympic Games as well as World and European Championships. We are very grateful to the 'Tipico Champion Initiative' for this,” she added.
Olympic champion Oliver Zeidler also welcomed the initiative.
"Recovery, performance diagnostics and sports science are often the factors that make the difference. This programme gives athletes the opportunity to invest directly in their own development," he said.
Matthias Folkmann, spokesperson for the Tipico Champion Initiative, said the company was proud to support athletes pursuing success at the highest level, describing the fund as recognition of the dedication required to compete.
The announcement marks the beginning of the partnership's first one-year funding cycle and expands Tipico's investment in German sport beyond its existing sponsorship activities
