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HomeUncategorizedNestle calls off sponsorship programme with IAAF

Nestle calls off sponsorship programme with IAAF

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Nestle has terminated a sponsorship programme with world athletics` governing body (IAAF) over fears that the corruption and doping scandals surrounding the sport could damage the company`s reputation, a spokeswoman said Wednesday.

Nestle calls-AV

“I confirm that we have decided to end our partnership with the IAAF Kids Athletics programme with immediate effect,” Nestle spokeswoman Lydia Meziani told AFP in an email.

“This decision was taken in light of negative publicity associated with allegations of corruption and doping in sport made against the IAAF,” she added.

Nestle, the world`s largest food company, became in 2012 the main sponsor of a programme aimed at promoting athletics for youths worldwide.

But Meziani said Nestle decided to “terminate (its) existing relationship with the IAAF” because a continued partnership “could negatively impact our reputation and image.”

The IAAF is facing crises on multiple fronts, including widespread allegations of corruption and bribery under disgraced former boss Lamine Diack.

The world body said it was in negotiations with Nestle.

“The IAAF is in discussion with Nestle concerning the final year of its five-year partnership with IAAF Kids` Athletics,” said an IAAF statement.

“This has been a successful programme with 15 million kids aged seven to 12 years in 76 countries taking part in fun team activities which promotes a healthy, active lifestyle.

“In 2016 IAAF Kids` Athletics plans to reach a further 15 countries, training 360 lecturers, instructing 8,640 physical education teachers, with three million children participating by the end of the activation.”

Separately, world athletics` new boss Sebastian Coe has faced criticism following Russia`s ban from the sport for what a commission of the World Anti-Doping Agency`s (WADA) described as “state-sponsored” doping.

WADA`s report claimed that the IAAF governing council must have known about corruption orchestrated by Diack, and about doping in Russia.

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