Meet & Greet with the German Men's Eight at Wilo
Four weeks after the memorable final race in Tokyo, Wilo welcomed the silver medal winners on August 26, 2021 at its new headquarters in Dortmund. In an exclusive event, the entire board, together with Dr.-Ing. E.h. Jochen Opländer, shareholder and honorary chairman of the supervisory board of WILO SE and founder of the Wilo Foundation, as well as Evi Hoch, board member of the Wilo Foundation, congratulated the team, coach Uwe Bender, and CEO Carsten Oberhagemann on behalf of the entire company. In a subsequent hybrid "Meet & Greet" format, the Wilo staff had the opportunity to ask their questions directly to the rowers.
The relationship between Wilo and the German Men's Eight goes far beyond mere sponsorship. We see this collaboration as a sustainable partnership. The extensive support for young athletes through the Wilo Foundation ensures that elite rowing in Germany, especially in Dortmund, maintains a solid foundation. We are proud to be a supporter and partner, and we congratulate the team on their success in Tokyo." With these words and reflecting on the thrilling finish a few weeks ago, Oliver Hermes, Chairman of the Management Board and CEO of the Wilo Group, opened the ceremonial event.
Since 2010, Wilo has been the main sponsor, a partnership that has brought numerous achievements for both sides. This is especially true for Dr.-Ing. E.h. Jochen Opländer, Honorary Chairman of the Wilo Supervisory Board, who has always been a great supporter of German rowing, an honorary captain, and a close companion of the team. His years of support and assistance were now crowned with a special honor. In a solemn ceremony, he was presented with the official team blazer, a privilege reserved for former rowers of the Eight and a few selected individuals. This honor was previously bestowed only upon Helmut Kohl.
With the motto "We row with you," the entire Wilo staff passionately cheered on the team in recent weeks. As a token of appreciation, following the formal congratulations, ten colleagues had the opportunity to get up close with the Eight in a "Meet & Greet" session. The moderated discussion was broadcast live for the entire staff. During this event, the rowers not only answered questions about the Olympic Games but also provided insights into their lives as individuals outside of the boat, such as the challenges of balancing studies and elite sports or their daily routines. The day concluded with a fitting celebration over food and drinks.
"Wilo has put a lot of effort into this reception. It once again shows that they fully support us," says Carsten Oberhagemann. "It was a warm reception that we enjoyed. We are grateful for the high esteem that Wilo shows us."
