Visa Expands Support for Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games

Visa has announced an expanded commitment to Paralympic athletes training for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games amid rising momentum and interest in para-sport competitions. With one year to go, the Official Payment Services Partner of the Paralympic Games and a Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Gold Partner, has signed five Paralympic athletes to its Team Visa roster and is supporting the Japanese Paralympic Committee’s launch of a donation-matching program for Visa cardholders in Japan.

“The Paralympic Games presents a tremendous opportunity for dedicated athletes to pursue their dreams both on and off the field,” said Lynne Biggar, chief marketing and communications officer, Visa. “These athletes push through boundaries every day, and they are a terrific expression of what Visa stands for as a brand. We are proud to expand our support of Tokyo 2020 Paralympic athletes.”

A global Olympic partner for more than 30 years and the first and longest-standing global Paralympic partner (since 2003), Visa is also continuing to support athletes with the tools, resources and support they need through its Team Visa program, originally founded in 2000.

Visa’s support for Olympic and Paralympic athletes also extends to leadership off the field with the Olympian and Paralympian Business Development Program, which gives athletes exposure to different parts of Visa’s business that they may not have otherwise had.

“Visa’s program is testimony to how the mental skills needed for winning an elite competition can translate to a business setting,” said Crowley, a two-sport Paralympic medalist who now works at Visa on its talent acquisition team. “As we look forward to Tokyo 2020, the Paralympic Games is another important aspect of Visa’s commitment.”

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games will feature 4,400 athletes competing in 537 medal events – including 1,756 slots for female athletes, the most ever, according to the International Paralympic Committee.