Allianz reprising role as Team USA booster for 2026 Olympic games

Winning an Olympic medal has a lot in common with successfully saving for retirement believe it or not. Most crucially, both require determination and preparation.

And it’s the celebration of those two attributes which has Allianz reprising its role as the Worldwide Insurance Partner of the International Olympic and Paralympic Movements at the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, as well as the Olympic and Paralympic Games Los Angeles 2028.

Allianz began its worldwide partnership with the Olympic and Paralympic Movements in 2021, building on a collaboration with the Paralympic Movement that began in 2006. In doing so, Allianz Life has joined other Allianz companies around the world in supporting the Olympic and Paralympic Movements and their athletes, teams, volunteers, and fans as a Top Partner of the International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee.

Allianz is once again sponsoring American athletes in their respective quests to reach the Olympic podium. Each one with a unique story to tell about overcoming significant barriers, both physical and, yes, financial, to achieve athletic glory.

That said, while they may have Olympic dreams, the Allianz team members have neither the notoriety nor phenomenal wealth of America’s 1992 “Dream Team” which was stacked with NBA millionaires.

Julia Gutz Moller, head of sponsorships at Allianz Life, says the decision to fund athletes off the beaten ice track or ski trail, as opposed to high-profile performers with even higher earnings potential, is by design.   

“We are excited to support athletes who otherwise could not afford to compete. And we want to make sure they have the resources to train fully,” Gutz Moller said.

Among the members of Team Allianz for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 is para nordic skiing star Dan Cnossen. Cnossen is a 3 time Paralympian (2022, 2018, 2014), 7 time Paralympic medalist (2 gold, 4 silver, 1 bronze) and was named the best male athlete of the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.

“I have learned that disability does not define a person, but rather the determination and courage to keep pushing forward in the face of adversity,” Cnossen said.

Cross-country skier Jessie Diggins will also be representing both Team Allianz and, of course, Team USA in Italy in February. Diggins is a 3 time Olympian (2022, 2018, 2014), 3 time Olympic medalist (1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze) and 29 time World Cup winner (79 podiums).

“I ski for those who dream big and refuse to give up, because dreams don’t come true unless you chase after them,” Diggins said.

Other members of the Allianz team include curler John Shuster, para snowboarder “Monster” Mike Schultz, bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor and ice hockey player Taylor Heise.

“Dream big, work hard, and never lose sight of your goals. Success comes to those who believe in themselves and never give up,” Heise said.