ISPO Cup for Verena Bentele: A fighter for inclusion and justice

• Verena Bentele: An athlete who pushes boundaries
• Commitment to inclusion and equal opportunities
• Verena Bentele accepts the ISPO Cup

Verena Bentele is more than an exceptional athlete - she is a legend. With iron discipline, irrepressible will and impressive mental strength, she has achieved what many can only dream of. And this despite her congenital visual impairment.

Her career in biathlon and cross-country skiing began in 1995, when she was just 13 years old. What followed was an unprecedented triumphal procession: twelve gold medals at the Paralympics, four world championship titles and numerous honors - including the Laureus World Sports Award. She ended her sporting career in 2011, but that was just the beginning of a new mission.

She has been honored many times, including with the prestigious Laureus World Sports Award - and now with the ISPO Cup. She has proven one thing time and time again: Life is not just about overcoming external hurdles, but also about pushing your own inner boundaries.

And as if these successes weren't enough, she climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and completed the 540-kilometre cycling marathon from Trondheim to Oslo three times. In 2011, she completed her master's degree with a grade of "very good" - another milestone that underlines her versatility. But she didn't stop there: She laid the foundations for a second career by training as a systemic coach. Today, Verena Bentele holds key roles: she is President of VdK, Germany's largest social welfare association with 2.2 million members (since 2018), Vice President of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (since 2021) and State Chairwoman of VdK Bavaria (since 2023). A life full of energy and responsibility.

Verena Bentele stands for social justice. She gives a voice to those who often have none: People with disabilities, older people, the socially disadvantaged. She fights against discrimination, against exclusion - and for a society in which every person counts. "Currently, 55% of people with disabilities in Germany have no access to sport. That's a tough figure for me," says Verena as she accepts the ISPO Cup.

Her actions embody the values that the ISPO Cup also honors: fairness, passion and the tireless will to make the world a better place. For Bentele, this is not an ideal, but a responsibility. Her conviction: Change is possible. She inspires with her determination to break new ground - for more participation, more respect and more humanity.

At the end of the first conference day of ISPO Munich 2024, Verena Bentele was ceremoniously presented with the ISPO Cup. Stefan Rummel honored her in a moving ceremony that underscored the extraordinary importance of her commitment. Verena Bentele used the stage to send a clear message: "Every one of us should have the chance to exercise and find a sport that makes life a little easier, healthier and, above all, more enriching - with joy and positive impulses for everyday life."

Verena Bentele proves that sport is more than just competition. It is a force that can inspire, connect and change. With her commitment and vision, she is a role model - and a reminder of what is possible if you have the courage to move the world.