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• Strategic partnership going beyond Winter Olympics in Sochi
• Official start of cooperation at the “Champions Race 2013” in Moscow
The Volkswagen Passenger Cars and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brands today announced a long-term cooperation with the Russian Biathlon Union (RBU). From April 1, 2013, Volkswagen will support the men’s and women’s teams as well as the youth work of the RBU. Volkswagen will be present as an official sponsor for the first time at the Champions Race 2013 on April 6 in Moscow.
Within the partnership, Volkswagen will be providing the Russian Biathlon Union with a comprehensive fleet consisting of Volkswagen Touareg, Passat Alltrack, Transporter and Caravelle vehicles. In future, Volkswagen Passenger Cars and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will together ensure the mobility of RBU athletes and coaches, for example at the various events in the World Cup and the IBU Cup.
Vratislav Strasil, Brand Manager Volkswagen Passenger Cars in Russia, underlines: “The Volkswagen Passenger Car and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle brands are partners of the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi in the ‘Automobile’ category. Partnership with the Russian Biathlon Union is another key step on the way to the first Winter Olympics in Russia. We are convinced of the value of this partnership and will play our part in making mobility as comfortable as possible for the Russian national team.”
As a sign of the partnership, Volkswagen will be involved as a sponsor for the first time at the “Champions Race”. The world’s 20 best biathletes will compete against each other in men’s’ and women’s mass start events as well as a mixed relay race. Volkswagen will be providing a vehicle fleet for the participants and organizers. The event will be modeled on the Christmas biathlon event, the “Biathlon World Team Challenge” in Gelsenkirchen.
Together with football and ice hockey, biathlon is one of the most popular sports in Russia. The Champions Race will be followed by biathlon fans in Russia and throughout the world. The event has been held in Moscow since 2011 and has traditionally been organized by the Russian Biathlon Union.
Volkswagen Group Rus has been the official national automobile partner of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi since 2010. This includes Volkswagen Group brands Audi, ŠKODA, Volkswagen Passenger Cars and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.