Corporate social responsibility

Sponsorship

Since it was founded, Amaury Sport Organisation has been involved in various sponsorship and philanthropy activities. It is the generosity of sport that can be found in a certain number of initiatives aiming to invest in the workings of the disciplines themselves (sponsorship of the French Federation of Cycling), in a humanitarian and social framework, (Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque, Actions Dakar, Un Techo Para Mi Pais) or in the environmental sphere (Madre De Dios, selective sorting, etc.).

French Federation of Cycling

The French Federation of Cycling and Amaury Sport Organisation have signed a memorandum of agreement that sets out the terms of their cooperation for 2011, 2012 and 2013.

In accordance with its policy in favour of young people, in particular through the organisation of events reserved for amateurs over many years, A.S.O. will continue to make a financial contribution to the efforts deployed by the FFC to encourage taking up cycling as a sport and to develop the discipline.

This agreement is made up of three parts:

1. The main objective involves unearthing the champions of tomorrow throughout France by reinforcing and assisting the Challenge Nationaux Juniors & Espoirs youth events as well as the inter-regional Cadet competitions, events which represent an indispensable tool for the future of French cycling.

2. The second part of this agreement concerns initiatives for developing cycling in the regions and departments, via different means:

   • The purchase of specific equipment
   • The organisation of training courses and competitions
   • The implementation of promotional operations.

   In order to do this, a fund will be set up to assist regional and departmental committees to achieve the projects they initiate.
   Similarly, a second fund will be set up to assist clubs in organising events reserved for amateurs.
   The FFC and A.S.O. will soon set up a selection committee in order to validate the actions to which they will commit.

3. Lastly, the position of development agent dedicated to sports facilities, for which A.S.O. has decided to provide financial backing, will be created at the FFC. This person’s role will be to draw up a master plan of sports facilities and assist the various players in their development projects, based around the following themes:

   • A census of facilities
   • Structuring of national and regional projects
   • Guidance and assistance for regional and departmental committees as well as clubs.

Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque

A Tour de France partner since 2003

This association enables children suffering from heart defects and living in underdeveloped countries to be operated on in France when it is impossible in their own country due to a lack of technical or financial resources.

Welcomed by volunteer foster families and operated on in ten hospitals in France (Angers, Bordeaux, Lyons, Marseilles, Nantes, Paris, Toulouse and Tours), more than 1,400 children have already been looked after by the charity since it was founded in 1996.

The partnership with Le Tour has enabled 200 children to be saved.

Handicap Zéro

Since 1996, A.S.O. has been working with the association HandicapZéro to make the Tour de France accessible to all.

During each edition of the Tour de France, visually impaired enthusiasts of the big loop can enjoy the following free of charge:

• The majority of the road-book adapted by the charity into Braille and audio (on CD or downloadable) which can be consulted on-line at handicapzero.org.
• All the news from the letour.fr web site made accessible on the charity’s web site handicapzero.org throughout the entire duration of Le Tour

Youth initiatives:

The springtime of the Tour, Young Reporters and Cadets-Juniors: throughout the year, Le Tour gives plenty of opportunities to children and teenagers who are interested in cycling. Discovering cycling can involve an introductory course, a one-day long experience or a full immersion in the world of the Tour de France. Based on these principles, A.S.O. has developed operations entirely dedicated to young people:

• The springtime of the Tour
• Young Reporters
• Cadets – Juniors
• Secours Populaire “Sport leaves nobody behind”

The springtime of the Tour:

A.S.O. had decided to assist certain Tour de France stage towns in setting up events whose aim is to promote cycling and the Tour de France between May and June. Through a range of workshops, even though competitive cycling and the Tour de France occupy main stage, encouragement of bike riding and promotion of bicycles as an easy-to-use “gentle” means of transport are covered. A competition organised as part of the springtime of the Tour allows 200 children to take part at the front of the parade of the Tour de France teams on the Champs Elysées à Paris.

Young Reporters:

Experiencing Le Tour on the roads and in the press room, interviewing elite riders and putting together a newspaper under professional journalistic constraints: each year, a small team of budding young journalists is invited onto the Big Loop. Six young people aged from 14 to 16 years old are selected to follow the Tour de France. With press passes like real journalists and supervised by two professionals, their mission is to design, write and produce a newspaper published every two days with a circulation of 1,000 copies, giving them a unique experience.

Cadets - Juniors:

To maintain enthusiasm for cycling amongst young people, A.S.O. has continued its commitment to clubs by organising the “Cadets - Juniors” operation for the last ten years. This event has become a strong symbol for the future of cycling, offering young riders the opportunity to experience an exceptional day under the same conditions of a team participating in the Tour de France. Their goal is to imitate their elders Arnaud Tournant, Pierre Rolland and Arnaud Démare, all of whom have worn the blue jersey of the Cadets-Juniors before going on to make their marks as professionals!

Secours Populaire “Sport leaves nobody behind”:

For the 4th year running, the corporate foundation of the Française des Jeux proposes, alongside charity Secours Populaire Français, in partnership with A.S.O. and FFC, activities for young people from disadvantaged areas. The fourth edition of this operation will involve 700 to 800 children aged 6 to 12 years, over 10 stages chosen from the route of Le Tour 2012. At the road-side of the Tour de France route, the children will have a countryside picnic and will watch the publicity caravan pass by, followed by the pack of riders. An introduction to BMX riding will also be proposed by coaches from the French Federation of Cycling with a removable circuit and bikes made available especially for the occasion. Finally, 300 children will be invited to take their place in the stands on the day of the finish at the Place de la Concorde in Paris.