DHL is prolonging its partnership with the German Bobsleigh, Luge, and Skeleton Federation (BSD) for another four years, up to and including the next Winter Olympic Games 2026 in Italy. The premium and logistics partnership has been in place since the 2014/2015 winter season and includes logistics for all equipment during the seasons as well as branding on the sports equipment and clothing of the athletes. In the upcoming season, DHL will transport a total of 13 bobsleigh boxes and 11 skeleton boxes with a total weight of 10,700 kg around Europe and North America via truck and air freight. The year-long partnership even welcomed a retired bobsleigh athlete, Nico Walther, who today is a freight pilot for DHL aircraft.
“Attributes such as speed, expertise, precision, teamwork, and innovation stand for both the sport of bobsleigh and sledding as well as for DHL. That's why BSD, with its athletes and their ambitions, is a perfect fit for us, and both our customers and our employees benefit from unique experiences with these great athletes and events,” says Arjan Sissing, Head of Brand Marketing at Deutsche Post DHL Group. “We also strive to make Deutsche Post DHL Group a first-choice employer, and we are proud to see Nico Walther, once athlete, now working as a freight pilot for DHL cargo.”
The sport of bobsleigh and skeleton has a long tradition in Germany, enjoys great popularity, and a high reputation. The German national teams (both men's and women's) are among the most prosperous nations in the world in this sport and have numerous successes to show. The BSD was the most successful team at this year's Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, winning 9 out of 10 possible gold medals. The prolongation of the partnership demonstrates BSD’s continued trust in DHL’s capabilities.
“We are very pleased to prolong this solid partnership. With DHL, we have had a reliable logistics partner for years that ensures smooth operations during the season, always ensuring that our sports equipment and gear always arrive on time and intact on training and race days. It’s easy with DHL, we don't have to worry about that at all,” says Thomas Schwab, Chairman of the BSD Board.
Former four-man bobsleigh Olympian silver medalist Nico Walther has discovered his team's premium partner as a new employer after he decided to retire from the sport in 2020. After successfully completing his pilot training this year, he is now flying cargo planes for DHL, fulfilling his childhood’s dreams. Walther is employed by Aerologic, a German cargo airline that is a joint-venture between DHL and Lufthansa Group. Based on Deutsche Post DHL Group’s sustainability roadmap announcement in March 2021, the company set targets for climate protection, corporate governance and social responsibility. That includes becoming a “Great company to work for all”. The Group offers various training programs and career tracks to encourage and empower potential and current employees.
