Why Bridgestone Became a Worldwide Paralympic Partner

Bridgestone announced in October that it had teamed up with the International Paralympic Committee as a Worldwide Paralympic Partner, the IPC’s highest tier of partnership.

With the new agreement in place until 2024, the company will receive global rights in categories that include tires, tire services, and selected automotive vehicle services, self-propelled bicycles, seismic isolation bearings, and a variety of building and industrial products.

Para athletes know what it takes to overcome obstacles and #ChaseYourDream. We are proud to become a Worldwide Paralympic Partner to support these inspiring athletes and the Paralympic Movement’s mission to create a more inclusive society. #Paralympics pic.twitter.com/gnLbd7c8fq

— Bridgestone Tires (@Bridgestone) October 18, 2018

To dive deeper into this new relationship, Bridgestone will also be helping out athletes for the upcoming 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo with new equipment and expertise in the area of tires and rubber. This includes new rubber soles for prosthetics and rubber grips for gloves, bicycles, and other technical support for Paralympic athletes competing in wheelchair or cycling events.

When presented with an opportunity to support the incredible athletes all over the world who compete in the Paralympics, Bridgestone leadership admitted it was an easy decision.

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“We are incredibly proud to support Para athletes everywhere on their journey to overcome adversity and persevere in pursuit of their dreams. Their passion and determination truly embody the ‘Chase Your Dream’ message that Bridgestone is bringing to life through our Olympic and Paralympic activities,” stated Amber Holm, vice president of consumer and customer engagement, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations.

“At an even deeper level, Bridgestone was founded on core values of service and diversity, and our global ‘Our Way to Serve’ social responsibility commitment is focused on improving the way people move, live, work and play. These efforts are reflected in the ideals of the International Paralympic Committee and its mission to create a more inclusive society through Para sport.”

Andrew Parsons, president of the IPC, echoed this sentiment.

“We are absolutely delighted that Bridgestone will become the IPC’s seventh Worldwide Paralympic Partner and believe the company’s ‘Chase Your Dream’ message enjoys perfect synergy with the aspirations of the Paralympic Movement and the IPC,” he said.

“Part of the IPC’s vision relates to Para athletes achieving sporting excellence and affecting people with a disability chasing their dreams through Para sport at all levels of competition. By working together, I hope we can empower even more people around the world to chase their own dreams.”

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Bridgestone also is a Worldwide Olympic Partner through 2024. Sports fans can also see their Bridgestone adverts and sponsorships all throughout the world of golf, the NFL, the NHL, and auto racing.

This dates back to Bridgestone’s Firestone brand being a part of the first Indy 500 in 1911. Look for the company to continue to be a big part of the sports and sporting goods worlds moving forward.

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“We are always looking for new and diverse ways to educate consumers about tires and our high-performing products, and sports continue to provide a natural connection point for those interactions,” added Holm. “Each of our sports partnerships is a strategic investment designed to drive Bridgestone and our business forward, so we are continuously evaluating our portfolio to maximize the impact each partnership can make at both a global and regional level.”

The 2020 Paralympics are set to begin on August 25, 2020 in Tokyo, Japan. Look for a number of Paralympic athletes to make use of Bridgestone gear, including eight Bridgestone employees who hope to qualify sometime in the next year.