Seb Coe angered as food giant Nestle terminates IAAF sponsorship over ongoing doping scandal
Food and beverage giant Nestle tells the IAAF on Wednesday that it terminated its sponsorship of athletics’ governing body over fears the doping scandal could damage the company’s image
Food and beverage giant Nestle told the IAAF on Wednesday that it terminated its sponsorship of athletics’ governing body over fears the doping scandal could damage the company’s image.
We will not accept it. It’s the kids who will suffer
The announcement came while Adidas remains in talks with the IAAF about its handling of the corruption scandal amid reports the sportswear giant was considering ending its sponsorship.
Coe said he was “angered and dismayed” by the Nestle announcement.
“We will not accept it,” he said in a statement. “It’s the kids who will suffer.”
Nestle funded the kids’ athletics program for four years but decided to end the partnership “with immediate effect.”
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The IAAF, incensed by the Nestle announcement, was determined to hold the company to the final year of its contract. Rather than accepting the sponsor’s decision, the IAAF said it remained “in discussion with Nestle concerning the final year of its five-year partnership.”
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“This has been a successful program with 15 million kids aged seven to 12 years in 76 countries, taking part in fun team activities which promotes a healthy, active lifestyle,” the IAAF said.
This decision was taken in light of negative publicity associated with allegations of corruption and doping in sport made against the IAAF
The program was due to reach another 15 countries, involving another three million children, training 360 lecturers, and 8,640 physical education teachers, the IAAF added.
The Nestle decision was a blow to Coe, whose first six months as IAAF president have been blighted by the extent of the corruption under predecessor Lamine Diack being exposed.
A World Anti-Doping Agency investigation found there was deeply rooted corruption on the inside by a “powerful rogue group” led by Diack, and they conspired to extort athletes and allow doping Russians to continue competing.
