German Men’s Eight: Great tasks, strong partner

Dortmund. The rowers in the German Men’s Eight team are highly motivated for a challenging 2023 competition season. This much was clear at the media day at the rowing training centre in Dortmund. Following the major personnel shake-up after the Olympic Games in Tokyo, the athletes want to get back on track and qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games at this year’s World Championships in Belgrade in September. They will continue to be supported by their long-term main sponsor Wilo.

“The German Men’s Eight team faces great challenges. We wish the rowers every success in these. They can count on the support of the entire Wilo family”, says Oliver Hermes, President & CEO of the Wilo Group. “Our commitment to rowing is a matter close to our hearts. We will of course support the athletes as a strong partner even through challenging times.”

Shared values and affinity with the city of Dortmund

The Wilo Group has always been closely associated with rowing. The multinational technology group has been the main sponsor of the German Men’s Eight since back in 2010. Shared values and an affinity with the city of Dortmund are what bind the company and the rowers. The same applies to the majority shareholder of the Wilo Group: The Wilo-Foundation supports elite rowing in Dortmund as a family tradition. For example, it supports the U23 young athletes with training scholarships and enables them to attend training camps.

“With the help of our youth development programme, we’re improving training conditions and promoting the compatibility of a professional career with elite rowing”, explains Evi Hoch, member of the Executive Board of the Wilo-Foundation. “In this way, we’re not only living up to our motto ‘empowering young people’, but we’re also supporting the future of the German Men’s Eight team in Dortmund in the long term”, Oliver Hermes, also Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Wilo-Foundation, continues.