TCS extends sponsorship of Lidingöloppet in Sweden, the world's largest cross-country race

• TCS extends its commitment as title sponsor to the legendary Lidingöloppet in Sweden, the world's largest cross-country race, for another three years.
• The collaboration builds on the five-year collaboration between TCS and Lidingöloppet and is further proof of TCS' commitment to the health and well-being of employees, customers and society at large.

Stockholm, Sweden, February 24, 2021: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a leading global IT services, consulting, and business solutions organization, announces that it is extending the sponsorship of Lidingöloppet, the world's largest cross-country race. The collaboration started in 2016 and the extended sponsorship runs for a further three years (2+1) and means that TCS continues to be the race's title sponsor and digital partner.

TCS Lidingöloppet, which takes place in Stockholm in September each year, consists of eight races with different distances. The races attract over 35,000 participants and 70,000 spectators annually. The majority of the runners come from the Nordic countries, but TCS Lidingöloppet attracts runners from over 35 countries around the world.

"We are very pleased with the extension of the collaboration and to continue to be the title sponsor and official technology partner of TCS Lidingöloppet", says Avinash Limaye, Regional Manager for TCS in Scandinavia. "Health and well-being is something TCS cherishes and running is an important part of that. Therefore, especially at a time like this, we are very proud to be able to contribute to enabling TCS Lidingöloppet and all the other races we collaborate with around the world."

"TCS understands the importance of investing in physical activity and running for better health and increased well-being" says Cecilia Gyldén, General Secretary of TCS Lidingöloppet. "Together with them, we will develop the running experience for everyone, both elite and exercisers. We will also work to encourage even more people to exercise more to improve Swedish public health. Starting training for one of our races is an important carrot for many to get fit and feel better."

TCS already has several partnerships with some of the world's leading races, including title sponsorship for the TCS Amsterdam marathon, TCS New York City marathon and TCS World 10k Bengaluru as well as sponsor of the marathons in Boston, Mumbai, London, Singapore and Chicago.

Technology as an enabler

The combination of technology and sport becomes even more important during the ongoing pandemic as it has not been possible to arrange larger events where people gather. With the help of TCS expertise and technology, it will be possible for TCS Lidingöloppet to arrange the race virtually via the app if the current situation continues and that the authorities' recommendations do not allow major events.

With the app, developed by TCS, everyone from amateurs to athletes can participate on their own terms no matter where they are. This allows runners who normally do not have the opportunity to physically get to the race to participate anyway. This also applies to other races sponsored by TCS and allows runners to actually participate in all races during the year without having to travel to each city to participate.

The extension of the partnership with TCS Lidingöloppet is one of a wide range of examples of how TCS is committed to promoting the health and well-being of its employees, customers and society at large through digital technology.

Fit4Life

TCS also has internal initiatives such as the Fit4Life wellness program. For every mile and hour completed by an employee under Fit4Life, TCS makes a donation to a charity. In 2020, 156,000 TCS employees participated in the initiative and together they logged more than 33 million kilometers, which corresponds to approximately 825 laps around the world. In addition, in 2020, over 11,000 employees participated in one of the TCS-sponsored races.

This Run

Another initiative in the same spirit is the running community 'This run' in which TCS, through a combination of physical and virtual elements, creates a way for participants to connect with like-minded people and be motivated.