E.ON to continue support to Hungarian Olympic Team
2009.05.13
“E.ON Hungária Zrt. has decided to continue to support the preparations of the Hungarian Olympic Team in the next Olympic cycle,” Konrad Kreuzer, the company group's chairman of the board, announced at an official press conference held in Budapest. “We are living through difficult times that affect not only the economy and society but the world of sport as well. In the present economic and financial circumstances there is a still greater need for this area to be able to rely on sound financial foundations, given that Hungarian athletes have delivered outstanding performances over the past few decades and generations of Hungarians are proud of the results, which both build and strengthen Hungary’s good reputation.
As a responsible company, we stand by our pledge and continue to support our Olympic athletes in the hope of future successes and achievements.” 
“As a new feature of this cooperation, we intend to emphasize a new area in line with the international sponsorship strategy of the E.ON group. Our efforts with regard to corporate responsibility are focused on the next generation and on children, as trustees of the future and ardent young upholders of sustainable development. Consequently, we would like to focus on children in sport, with a special emphasis on strengthening the upcoming generation in soccer. By sponsoring competitions and inviting tenders, our goal is to help generate enthusiasm and commitment in as many children as possible for the once world-renowned Hungarian soccer tradition, while promoting shared family sport through family soccer.”
“Over the past four years, E.ON has provided the greatest ever volume of support for Hungarian athletes and the Olympic team,” Pál Schmitt, president of the Hungarian Olympic Committee, said. “The support of such an outstanding and committed partner is of huge value for the HOC.”
Schmitt also recalled that the Olympic movement has been a committed believer in environmental protection and sustainable development for many years, since only by upholding these principles is there a chance of ensuring that the flame continues to burn at the Olympic Games one hundred years from now. For this reason, he regards the opportunity to launch a new joint initiative with E.ON as setting an important example.
“With the New Energy Prize, we would like to draw attention to the possibility of managing energy responsibly in all areas of life, and thus in sport as well. With a little care, clubs and institutions, particularly those in difficult financial circumstances, can save on costs and spare the environment at the same time,” said Mr. Kreuzer of the newly founded prize. The Prize will be invited from September to sporting associations, clubs, schools that set an example in the area of environmental protection and energy awareness.
E.ON Hungária Zrt. E.ON Hungária Zrt. became Diamond Sponsor of the Hungarian Olympic Team in 2005, and has worked with emblematic athletes such as Anita Görbicz, Zoltán Szécsi, Diána Igaly and Gábor Balogh to promote the Olympic ideal. For many years E.ON has also supported top-ranking sports teams that operate in the company's service areas, including the Győri ETO women’s handball team or the Pécs 2010 women’s basketball team. In addition, it also places importance on backing amateur sport, acting for the third time as title sponsor of the E.ON Délibáb Sports Day to be held on 4 July this year in the Hortobágy region, where the organizers will be delighted to welcome all those wishing to run, hike or cycle.
Contact:
E.ON Hungária Communications Department
István Kutas, media relations and PR manager
Tel: +36 1 472 3658
Fax: +36 1 472 2304
E-mail: istvan.kutas@eon-hungaria.com