Tipico and Sporthilfe Select 62 Elite Athletes for Tailored Champion Fund

Tipico and Germany’s Sporthilfe foundation have unveiled the first cohort of the Tipico Champion Fund, an initiative that provides customised financial backing to elite competitors across more than 30 Olympic and Paralympic disciplines.

Rather than issuing uniform grants, the fund allocates resources based on each athlete’s specific performance needs. Supported areas include recovery and regeneration programmes, performance diagnostics, sports psychology, and mental coaching – all aimed at preparing athletes for major international events such as the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Among the 62 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. Nearly 100 athletes applied for the first funding round, with an independent committee composed of former Olympic, Paralympic and world champions making the final selection after approval from each athlete’s national 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. She added that the fund closes a decisive funding gap and creates extra opportunities for athletes on the path to world and European championships.

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, speaking for the Tipico Champion Initiative, said the company is proud to back athletes striving for peak performance and sees the fund as a recognition of the dedication required to compete at the highest level.