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The ISPO Cup honors outstanding athletes and their achievements. It is awarded annually as part of ISPO Munich - and has been since 1971. ISPO.com shows some of the impressive award winners and what they stand for in pictures.

Author: Eva Doll
More on the topic
Awards

Tobi Gröber (l.) and Sebastian Steudtner (m.) present Nirmal Purja (r.) with the ISPO CUP 2023. As part of the German Sustainability Award 2023 ceremony, the Nepalese mountaineer Purja will be awarded the ISPO Cup for his outstanding commitment to nature conservation and mountain communities in the Himalayas. This is in recognition of his record-breaking achievement in 2019, when he conquered all 14 eight-thousanders in record time.

Image credit: Trade show Munich

Tobias Gröber presents Glen Morden (left) from Patagonia with the newly designed ISPO 2022 Cup. The award goes to companies like Patagonia that are making a positive contribution to society in the face of the pandemic, climate crisis and war."

Image credit: ISPO Archive

Marathon legend and UN ambassador Tegla Loroupe was awarded the ISPO Cup by Klaus Dittrich, Chairman of the Board of Management of Messe München, at the ISPO Munich 2020 VIP Dinner. Loroupe is a woman who uses the power of sport to open up new perspectives.

Image credit: ISPO Archive
The Norwegian Ole Einar Bjørndalen has owned an ISPO trophy since 2019. The biathlon legend competed for the last time in December 2018. He can look back on eight gold medals at the Winter Olympics and numerous overall World Cup victories. He is considered the most successful biathlete in history.

The Norwegian Ole Einar Bjørndalen has owned an ISPO trophy since 2019. The biathlon legend competed for the last time in December 2018. He can look back on eight gold medals at the Winter Olympics and numerous overall World Cup victories. He is considered the most successful biathlete in history.

Image credit: ISPO Archive

In 2018, 93-year-old Gertrude "Gert" Boyle (*1924,†3 November 2019) was honoured for her life's work. She was the daughter of Columbia founder Paul Lamfrom, who founded the company in Oregon, USA, after his flight from Germany in 1937. Gert" later took over the brand and radically restructured it. Pictured are Boyle's son Tim Boyle (centre), who represented his mother at the tribute, as well as Flori Schuster, CEO of Sporthaus Schuster (left) and Klaus Dittrich, Chairman of the Board of Messe München GmbH (right).

Image credit: ISPO archiv
2014 - Swede David Lega has set a total of 14 world records as a Paralympic swimmer. He has been active in politics since 2011, first as Mayor of Gothenburg and now as a Member of the European Parliament. The ISPO trophy was presented to him by Klaus Dittrich, Chairman of the Board of Management of Messe München (right).

2014 - Swede David Lega has set a total of 14 world records as a Paralympic swimmer. He has been active in politics since 2011, first as Mayor of Gothenburg and now as a Member of the European Parliament. The ISPO trophy was presented to him by Klaus Dittrich, Chairman of the Board of Management of Messe München (right).

Image credit: ISPO Archive
2013: Base jumper Felix Baumgartner (right) jumped from the stratosphere at the end of 2012: the highest parachute jump to date at over 38,900 meters. Additional record: 36,400 meters free fall. Klaus Dittrich, CEO of Messe München GmbH, presented the extreme athlete with the ISPO trophy the following year.

2013: Base jumper Felix Baumgartner (right) jumped from the stratosphere at the end of 2012: the highest parachute jump to date at over 38,900 meters. Additional record: 36,400 meters free fall. Klaus Dittrich, CEO of Messe München GmbH, presented the extreme athlete with the ISPO trophy the following year.

Image credit: ISPO Archive

In 2012, Willy Bogner was awarded the ISPO Lifetime Achievement Cup. Bogner was one of the best German ski racers of the 1960s and won, among others, five German champion titles. He also made a name for himself as a filmmaker with his sports film "Fire + Ice" (1986), which won the Bambi Award and the Bavarian Film Award. In 1977, Willy Bogner took over his father's high-end clothing company, Willy Bogner Senior, which still dresses the German team at the Winter Olympics.

Image credit: ISPO Archive
2002: Ingemar Stenmark was a Swedish ski racer from 1973 to 1989. The two-time Olympic champion, five-time World champion and three-time winner of the overall World Cup is considered one of the most successful alpine ski racers since 1967. He won 86 World Cups till this day, nobody challenged him. In the picture he is holding the ISPO Cup with Manfred Wutzlhofer (l.), who was then head of the tradeshow. Also present (from left to right): Hans Spitzner

2002: Ingemar Stenmark was a Swedish ski racer from 1973 to 1989. The two-time Olympic champion, five-time World champion and three-time winner of the overall World Cup is considered one of the most successful alpine ski racers since 1967. He won 86 World Cups till this day, nobody challenged him. In the picture he is holding the ISPO Cup with Manfred Wutzlhofer (l.), who was then head of the tradeshow. Also present (from left to right): Hans Spitzner, former State Secretary of the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, the former 2nd Mayor of Munich Gertraud Burkert and Karin Stoiber.

Image credit: ISPO archiv
1998: Henry Maske (center) was presented with the trophy by Manfred Wutzlhofer (left), then Chairman of the Board of Management of Messe München, for his extraordinary and fair sporting success as a professional boxer. Maske was IBF World Light Heavyweight Champion from March 1993 - a title he defended until 1996.

1998: Henry Maske (center) was presented with the trophy by Manfred Wutzlhofer (left), then Chairman of the Board of Management of Messe München, for his extraordinary and fair sporting success as a professional boxer. Maske was IBF World Light Heavyweight Champion from March 1993 - a title he defended until 1996.

Image credit: ISPO Archive
The cycling legend Eddy Merckx (left) from Belgium, who was awarded the ISPO trophy in 1993, is considered to be the most successful cyclist of all time. The "Mémoire du Cyclisme" website lists a total of 525 road victories from 1966 to 1978, 98 victories on the track and two victories in cyclo-cross races. He ended his sporting career in 1977 and set up a company under his name that manufactured racing bikes.

Cycling legend Eddy Merckx (l.) from Belgium, who was awarded the ISPO trophy in 1993, is considered one of the most successful cyclists of all time. The "Mémoire du Cyclisme" website lists a total of 525 road victories from 1966 to 1978, 98 victories on the track and two victories in cyclo-cross races. He ended his sporting career in 1977 and set up a company under his name that manufactured racing bikes.

Image credit: ISPO Archive
Austrian Franz Klammer (center), who became famous as a ski racer, earned the ISPO trophy in 1992. With 25 downhill victories, he went down in World Cup history as the most successful downhill skier at the time. Kammerer also won the gold medal in the downhill at the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck.

The Austrian Franz Klammer (center), who became famous as a ski racer, earned the ISPO trophy in 1992. With 25 downhill victories, he went down in World Cup history as the most successful downhill skier at the time. At the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck Kammerer also won the gold medal in the downhill.

Image credit: ISPO Archive
South Tyrolean Reinhold Messner, who turned 75 in 2019, received the ISPO trophy in 1989 (l.). Reinhold Messner is considered one of the most famous mountaineers in the world and has changed the style of high-altitude mountaineering. In 1978, together with Peter Habeler, he was the first person to reach the summit of Mount Everest without oxygen tanks. From 1970 to 1986, he also climbed 14 eight-thousanders - many more extreme summits followed.

South Tyrolean Reinhold Messner, who turned 75 in 2019, received the ISPO trophy in 1989 (l.). Reinhold Messner is considered one of the most famous mountaineers in the world and has changed the style of high-altitude mountaineering. In 1978, together with Peter Habeler, he was the first person to reach the summit of Mount Everest without oxygen tanks. From 1970 to 1986, he also climbed 14 eight-thousanders - many more extreme summits followed.

Image credit: ISPO Archive
In 1987, the ISPO trophy went to the US track and field athlete and three-time Olympic champion Wilma Rudolph (*1940; † 1994) (center). In 1960, the sprinter also went down in history as the first woman in the world to run under 23 seconds over 200 meters. One year later, she set another world record of 11.2 seconds over 100 meters. The Wilma Rudolph Foundation, which she founded, supports young female athletes.

In 1987, the ISPO trophy went to the US athlete and three-time Olympic champion Wilma Rudolph (*1940; † 1994) (center). In 1960, the sprinter also went down in history as the first woman in the world to run under 23 seconds over 200 meters. A year later, she set another world record of 11.2 seconds over 100 meters. The Wilma Rudolph Foundation, which she founded, supports young female athletes.

Image credit: ISPO Archive

In 1986, French ski racer Jean-Claude Killy received the ISPO trophy. In the photo (2nd from left), Toni Sailer (3rd from left) and Willy Bogner (4th from left) are talking to the exhibition director at the time, Dr Werner Marzin. The 'Ski Napoléon', as it was known at the time, dominated racing in the 1960s. At Grenoble in 1968, for example, it won a total of three Olympic gold medals in the downhill, giant slalom and slalom categories.

Image credit: ISPO Archive
In 1985, Austria's probably most famous ski racer Toni Sailer (*1935 † August 24, 2009) received an ISPO trophy. Toni Sailer (r.) was not only the winner of three Olympic gold medals, won at the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina D'Ampezzo, and seven world championship titles, but also an actor and singer. The premium sports brand Toni Sailer, founded in 2004, is named after him.

In 1985, Austria's probably most famous ski racer Toni Sailer (*1935 † August 24 2009) an ISPO trophy. Toni Sailer (right) was not only the winner of three Olympic gold medals, won at the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina D'Ampezzo, and seven world championship titles, but also an actor and singer. The premium sports brand Toni Sailer, founded in 2004, is named after him.

Image credit: ISPO Archive
Cup winner 1983: Pelé, the exceptional Brazilian footballer (on the podium), who is considered by many to be the best player of all time. By the end of his soccer career in 1977, he had scored well over 1,250 goals. In 1999, he was voted Sportsman of the Past Century by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Cup winner 1983: Pelé, the exceptional Brazilian footballer (on the podium), who is considered by many to be the best player of all time. By the end of his soccer career in 1977, he had scored well over 1,250 goals. In 1999, he was voted Sportsman of the Past Century by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Image credit: ISPO Archive
On February 27, 1982, the then exceptional Czechoslovak athlete Emil Zatopek (*1922; † November 21, 2000) was awarded the trophy (r.). The runner set numerous world records between 1949 and 1955. He won Olympic gold in the 10,000 meters in London in 1948 and three Olympic gold medals in Helsinki in 1952.

On 27.02.1982, the then exceptional Czechoslovak athlete Emil Zatopek (*1922; † November 21 2000) Cup winner (r.). The runner set numerous world records between 1949 and 1955. He won Olympic gold in the 10,000 meters in London in 1948 and three Olympic gold medals in Helsinki in 1952.

Image credit: ISPO Archive
Max Schmeling (*1905; † February 2, 2005), who is still considered one of Germany's most popular athletes today, became an ISPO trophy winner in 1972. The German heavyweight boxer held the world title from 1930 to 1932. Schmeling's boxing fight statistics were 56 victories in 70 professional fights.

Max Schmeling (*1905; † February 2 2005)who is still considered one of Germany's most popular sportsmen today, was awarded the ISPO Cup in 1972. The German heavyweight boxer held the world title from 1930 to 1932. Schmeling's boxing statistics were 56 victories in 70 professional fights.

Image credit: ISPO Archive
German professional footballer Fritz Walter (*1920; † June 17, 2002) was awarded the ISPO Cup in 1974 (r.). 20 years earlier, he led the German team to the historic World Cup title ("Miracle of Bern"). He was the first national player to be named honorary captain.

The German professional footballer Fritz Walter (*1920; † June 17 2002) was awarded the ISPO Cup in 1974 (r.). 20 years earlier, he led the German team to the historic World Cup title ("Miracle of Bern"). He was the first national player to be named honorary captain.

Image credit: ISPO Archive
The first ISPO Cup went to the Norwegian Birger Ruud (*1911; † June 13, 1998) in 1971. The trophy winner was a legendary ski jumper and ski racer - he was considered one of the world's best ski jumpers of the 1930s. In 1932 and 1936, he won Olympic gold medals for jumping off the large hill. He also set two hill records and became world champion five times.

The first ISPO Cup went to the Norwegian Birger Ruud (*1911; † June 13, 1998) in 1971. The trophy winner was a legendary ski jumper and ski racer - he was considered one of the world's best ski jumpers of the 1930s. In 1932 and 1936, he won Olympic gold medals for jumping off the large hill. He also set two hill records and became world champion five times.

Image credit: ISPO Archive
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The Norwegian Ole Einar Bjørndalen has owned an ISPO trophy since 2019. The biathlon legend competed for the last time in December 2018. He can look back on eight gold medals at the Winter Olympics and numerous overall World Cup victories. He is considered the most successful biathlete in history.
2014 - Swede David Lega has set a total of 14 world records as a Paralympic swimmer. He has been active in politics since 2011, first as Mayor of Gothenburg and now as a Member of the European Parliament. The ISPO trophy was presented to him by Klaus Dittrich, Chairman of the Board of Management of Messe München (right).
2013: Base jumper Felix Baumgartner (right) jumped from the stratosphere at the end of 2012: the highest parachute jump to date at over 38,900 meters. Additional record: 36,400 meters free fall. Klaus Dittrich, CEO of Messe München GmbH, presented the extreme athlete with the ISPO trophy the following year.
2002: Ingemar Stenmark was a Swedish ski racer from 1973 to 1989. The two-time Olympic champion, five-time World champion and three-time winner of the overall World Cup is considered one of the most successful alpine ski racers since 1967. He won 86 World Cups till this day, nobody challenged him. In the picture he is holding the ISPO Cup with Manfred Wutzlhofer (l.), who was then head of the tradeshow. Also present (from left to right): Hans Spitzner
1998: Henry Maske (center) was presented with the trophy by Manfred Wutzlhofer (left), then Chairman of the Board of Management of Messe München, for his extraordinary and fair sporting success as a professional boxer. Maske was IBF World Light Heavyweight Champion from March 1993 - a title he defended until 1996.
The cycling legend Eddy Merckx (left) from Belgium, who was awarded the ISPO trophy in 1993, is considered to be the most successful cyclist of all time. The "Mémoire du Cyclisme" website lists a total of 525 road victories from 1966 to 1978, 98 victories on the track and two victories in cyclo-cross races. He ended his sporting career in 1977 and set up a company under his name that manufactured racing bikes.
Austrian Franz Klammer (center), who became famous as a ski racer, earned the ISPO trophy in 1992. With 25 downhill victories, he went down in World Cup history as the most successful downhill skier at the time. Kammerer also won the gold medal in the downhill at the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck.
South Tyrolean Reinhold Messner, who turned 75 in 2019, received the ISPO trophy in 1989 (l.). Reinhold Messner is considered one of the most famous mountaineers in the world and has changed the style of high-altitude mountaineering. In 1978, together with Peter Habeler, he was the first person to reach the summit of Mount Everest without oxygen tanks. From 1970 to 1986, he also climbed 14 eight-thousanders - many more extreme summits followed.
In 1987, the ISPO trophy went to the US track and field athlete and three-time Olympic champion Wilma Rudolph (*1940; † 1994) (center). In 1960, the sprinter also went down in history as the first woman in the world to run under 23 seconds over 200 meters. One year later, she set another world record of 11.2 seconds over 100 meters. The Wilma Rudolph Foundation, which she founded, supports young female athletes.
In 1985, Austria's probably most famous ski racer Toni Sailer (*1935 † August 24, 2009) received an ISPO trophy. Toni Sailer (r.) was not only the winner of three Olympic gold medals, won at the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina D'Ampezzo, and seven world championship titles, but also an actor and singer. The premium sports brand Toni Sailer, founded in 2004, is named after him.
Cup winner 1983: Pelé, the exceptional Brazilian footballer (on the podium), who is considered by many to be the best player of all time. By the end of his soccer career in 1977, he had scored well over 1,250 goals. In 1999, he was voted Sportsman of the Past Century by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
On February 27, 1982, the then exceptional Czechoslovak athlete Emil Zatopek (*1922; † November 21, 2000) was awarded the trophy (r.). The runner set numerous world records between 1949 and 1955. He won Olympic gold in the 10,000 meters in London in 1948 and three Olympic gold medals in Helsinki in 1952.
Max Schmeling (*1905; † February 2, 2005), who is still considered one of Germany's most popular athletes today, became an ISPO trophy winner in 1972. The German heavyweight boxer held the world title from 1930 to 1932. Schmeling's boxing fight statistics were 56 victories in 70 professional fights.
German professional footballer Fritz Walter (*1920; † June 17, 2002) was awarded the ISPO Cup in 1974 (r.). 20 years earlier, he led the German team to the historic World Cup title ("Miracle of Bern"). He was the first national player to be named honorary captain.
The first ISPO Cup went to the Norwegian Birger Ruud (*1911; † June 13, 1998) in 1971. The trophy winner was a legendary ski jumper and ski racer - he was considered one of the world's best ski jumpers of the 1930s. In 1932 and 1936, he won Olympic gold medals for jumping off the large hill. He also set two hill records and became world champion five times.

The award winners of the past decades come from all disciplines of the international sports world. All award winners have one thing in common: great, fair sport and their passion for it - with which they wrote sporting history.

In 2023, Nirmal Purja will receive the ISPO Cup as part of the German Sustainability Award ceremony! The Nepalese mountaineer managed to climb all 14 eight-thousanders in record time in 2019. He is being honored for his commitment to protecting nature and mountain communities in the Himalayas.

2022 the newly conceived ISPO Cup went to a company for the first time: Patagonia received the award for the company's positive contribution to society.

In 2020, the exceptional Kenyan long-distance runner Tegla Loroupe received the award for outstanding personalities in the world of sport in the festive setting of the VIP dinner at the ICM Munich.

Sports greats such as world century athlete Fritz Walter, one of the protagonists of the "Miracle of Bern" or Sepp Bradl, who was the first person to jump over 100 meters on skis, as well as tennis legend Gottfried von Cramm, soccer emperor Franz Beckenbauer, the Chinese former gymnast and current entrepreneur Li-Ning or the multiple Olympic champion Katharina Witt join the ranks of the honorees.

ISPO.com shows other trophy winners from international sport from the 1970s to the present day.

Author: Eva Doll
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