Franziska VAN ALMSICK
FRANZISKA VAN ALMSICK’S SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS36-year-old Franziska van Almsick is one of the most popular and well-known sports personalities in Germany and a world-renowned swimming legend.
Born on 5th April 1978 in East Berlin, she achieved her greatest sporting success between 1992 (Olympic Games in Barcelona) and 2004 (Olympic Games in Athens). Overall, the likeable and attractive swimmer won four Olympic silver medals and six bronze medals. She has also won numerous world and European championship titles. Today, Franziska van Almsick lives with her partner Jürgen B. Harder and two sons in Heidelberg.
It matters to her that she uses her prominence and popularity to support professional and amateur sport. Since the 1st December 2008 Franziska van Almsick has been active in the German Sports Aid Foundation. She is currently vice president of the Supervisory Board. In this role, she supported, in person, the athletes at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver and again in London in 2012. The main purpose of this prestigious Foundation is to morally support the athletes to compensate for the demands put on them by society at international championships and when representing the nation. The athletes are also supported financially in return for their assistance in boosting the reputation of their country. The patron of the German Sports Aid is President Joachim Gauck.
In addition, Franziska van Almsick works as an ambassador for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011 in Germany. As representative of the “Top 11” she advertised this additional mega-event in international football following the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. This shows that her focus is not only on swimming, but she understands and supports the promotion of sport as a high-ranking social responsibility. Her loyalty to her football club TSG Hoffenheim and her presence at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa on behalf of the German TV station ARD emphasise her love of football.
Franziska van Almsick qualifies as an ambassador for German elite sport with her whole personality: She is experienced in international competitions and despite all the celebrities and media hype remains authentic and natural. She is a family woman, but can also hold her own with elegance in social situations. People who are close to her describe her as creative, versatile, courageous with a slightly rebellious vein. Her fans associate her with attributes such as: successful, attractive, dynamic, natural and authentic.
As well as writing the successful children’s books Paul Paddlenose at the Seaside and Paul Paddlenose in Swimming Lessons, Franziska van Almsick works as an ambassador for important charity organisations such as Laureus, as an activist for A Heart for Children, Tribute to Bambi and as patron of Heidelberg Kids Take Swimming Lessons. The high approval ratings associated with this also make her a sought-after partner in the advertising industry: She has appeared as a model to endorse the fashion retailer C&A, as well as for ARD and is for example the testimonial for the German Pharma-Company STADA.
Franziska van Almsick travelled to Central Africa as a Special Ambassador for Pampers/UNICEF. While tetanus almost no longer exists in Germany, according to UNICEF 160 infants still die every day in developing countries as a result of lockjaw. So swimming legend Franziska van Almsick brought attention to the Pampers campaign against tetanus by appearing as an action ambassador in TV commercials in 2011.
Franziska van Almsick has been a mother since 2007 and that was reason enough for her to put a long-held idea into action. In 2010 she founded her association …für Kinder e.V. With the support of sponsors she collected money to give children all over Germany the opportunity to learn to swim properly. In her new adopted home of Heidelberg she started the project “Kids take swimming lessons” in 2008 with the city of Heidelberg and the city utilities company. It is really important to her that every child in Germany can swim at least one stroke with good technique before leaving elementary school. That is why …für Kinder e.V. supports the continuing education of teachers and teaching assistants. The Association …für Kinder e.V. supports projects all over Germany through donations.
She wants to continue to provide this commitment and knowledge as an ambassador of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- 1992 – Barcelona Olympics: 2 silver medals, 2 bronze medals
- 1993 – 6-times European Champion
- 1994 – World Champion in world record time
- 1995 – 5-times European Champion
- 1996 – Atlanta Olympics: 2 silver medals, 1 bronze medal
- 1998 – World Champion (relay)
- 1999 – 2-times European Champion (relay)
- 2000 – Sydney Olympics: 1 bronze
- 2002 – 5-times European Champion, 2 world records
- 2004 – Athens Olympics: 2 bronze medals
I feel honoured and happy to support the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, especially because we both have the same values and goals helping children all over the world. Since 2010 I have my own foundation in Germany to support children in learning the importance of swimming as well as teaching them how to swim.
Dear Charlene, I am happy to cooperate in your Foundation and to support your ambitious goals in helping other people. Sport has always been our bond and now we can use our common interests and values for doing good to others.
Franziska VAN ALMSICK
http://www.franzi.de/