Following their return from Vancouver, the German Olympic athletes received an enthusiastic welcome today with a car parade in downtown Munich. The participation in the first national welcoming celebration of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) marks another element of the close collaboration between the DOSB and AUDI AG.
From the “Siegestor” (“Victory Gate”) via “Ludwigstrasse” to the “Marienplatz” square directly in front of City Hall: in a total of 30 Audi A5 and A3 cabriolets, the athletes of the successful German Olympic team were greeted with resounding cheers by the crowd lining the route. And they definitely deserved it: with a total of 10 gold, 13 silver and 7 bronze medals the team not only evoked emotions galore but also captured second place for Germany in the medal table.
“Audi has been partnering with the German winter athletes for several decades now, and partnered with the DOSB in Vancouver for the first time. This premiere has clearly shown that Five Rings and Four Rings fit together perfectly,” says Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Board of Management for Marketing and Sales of AUDI AG. “At the same time, we wish the Paralympics athletes who are departing today a lot of success at the Paralympics.”
At the beginning of February, AUDI AG had announced its partnership with the German Olympic Sports Confederation and the brand’s commitment as a National Promoter of the German National Paralympics Committee (DBS). The brand with the Four Rings thus continues to expand its long-standing and diverse support of national and international sports. At the 2010 Winter Olympics, Audi provided the shuttle service for the Olympic team and the guests of the German House in Vancouver, its annex in Whistler and the Paralympics German House.
Today’s parade through downtown Munich, the celebration on the balcony of City Hall and the signing of the city of Munich’s Golden Book visibly demonstrated that the German Olympic athletes are at home again. The DOSB and Audi are now setting their sights on the future: in 2012, the Summer Olympics will be held in London. In Great Britain’s capital Audi will again partner with the German athletes.
Source: http://www.audi.com/com/brand/en/company/news/company.detail.2010~03~audi_celebrates_german.html