Golazo does not just want to get everyone moving, we want to provide everyone with an equal opportunity to do that. Even those who might struggle at first sight, we try to get involved in our activities as best as we can. We treat everybody the same, regardless of gender, belief, skin colour, sexual orientation or physical ability, and we encourage and motivate our participants and spectators to do the same as much as possible.
We bring all of that together under the banner:
“Bolingo Embracing Diversity”. Athlete Cynthia Bolingo is our proud and active ambassador. For Bolingo, embracing diversity is much more than slogans.
Partnership Special Olympics
We include special Olympics disciplines in our cycling events (Baloise Belgium Tour, Lotto Zesdaagse,…).
Paralympic Movement
Paralympic disciplines have been a tradition at the Allianz Memorial Van Damme for a long time. We also include Para-cycling at the Lotto Zesdaagse Gent and we enabled the triple world record attempts of some of our Para-cyclists, leading to the World hour record of Ewoud Vromant.
Kunstbaan at Six Days
We include special Olympics disciplines in our cycling events (Baloise Belgium Tour, Lotto Zesdaagse,…).
Athletics Initiation Refugees
In cooperation with Engie and with the support of Memorial Director Kim Gevaert, 64 young refugees that are being looked after by Fedasil, SOS Kinderdorpen and Minor Ndako, were given an athletics initiation and were able to attend the Memorial.
Equal Rights Run
In cooperation with Plan International, the Equal Rights Run has featured on the Memorial programme for years and in it men and women compete against each other in a 100m race.
Mama Cycling / World Bicycling Relief
Golazo partnered up with mama cycling, a project initiated by Kenya’s first lady, her excellency Rachel Ruto. Mama cycling not only promotes cycling in Kenya, it aims to provide bicycles more widely throughout the country. Bicycles help children in remote areas getting to school, carers moving around easily and local farmers transporting their goods to the market.
Simbolei Scholarships
Golazo supports ten young girls in a new girls school in Iten (Kenya). The secondary school was founded by Richard Kaitany, who studied and trained on the same team as Bob Verbeeck. Ten girls – each from a challenging family background – will receive a scholarship from Golazo for four years allowing them to enjoy a free education (and school meals).
Climbing For Life
Health or medical problems should not always be a barrier to exercising and realising sports-related dreams. Climbing for Life does not just raise money for asthma, cystic fibrosis or diabetes; people with those disorders are closely coached so that they can fulfil their dream of riding up a mountain pass in the Alps or Dolomites on a bike.
Warmathon De Warmste Week
During the VRT’s annual Warmste Week, Golazo organises the Warmathon. An easily accessible running event with all proceeds going to charity.
100km Run Kom op tegen Kanker
A unique running event, in which teams of four run 100 km together to raise money for the fight against cancer. The challenge and group spirit are key.
Beyond White Line
Beyond White Line is an initiative to break down barriers and build bridges between people of different backgrounds. It is a series of events aimed at informing Belgian citizens about the various societal issues of our time. The first edition dealt with all issues related to migration. This includes the welcoming migrants of all ages in our society.
Tommie Smith & John Carlos
This year, we welcomed human rights icons Mr. Tommie Smith and Mr. John Carlos in the Golazo family at the occasion of their honorary doctorate at the KU Leuven. They truly represent the universal values of our company.
Overview of various charities linked to events
- UZA and UA cancer research & Tele Onthaal (Antwerp 10 Miles)
- Nationaal Park Fonds (Nationaal Park Run & Walk Maasmechelen)
- Natuurpunt & Vogelopvangcentrum Kieldrecht (Havenland Run & Walk)
- Te Gek!? (AG Belgian Coast Walk)
- Sportaround (Sofico Gent Marathon)
- KWF Kankerbestrijding (NN Marathon Rotterdam, ASML Marathon Eindhoven, Maastrichts Mooiste, …)
- Villa Pardoes (CZ Tilburg Ten Miles)
- Jeugdfonds Sport&Cultuur
- (Menzis 4 Mijl van Groningen)
- Stichting Ambulancewens (DSW Bruggenloop)