adidas and the IAAF agreed an 11-year partnership granting adidas the world-wide sponsorship rights for all IAAF World Athletic Series events until 2019.
Under the agreement, adidas will be the official IAAF athletic sponsor and licensee product supplier for the next decade. The partnership incorporates every aspect of athletics, from product creation, to grassroots development and retail distribution. Among the highlights of the deal, adidas will be the Official Sponsor of the 2009 IAAF World Championships next summer in Berlin, August 15 through 23rd.
The partnership was announced during a press event in Monaco supported by CEO and Chairman of adidas AG, Herbert Hainer, and IAAF President, Lamine Diack.
“The heritage of the adidas brand is closely linked with the legacy of athletics and the IAAF" said Hainer. “Therefore, we are very proud to announce our new partnership with IAAF and we are looking forward to shaping the future of athletics together at all levels in the coming years."
IAAF President Lamine Diack also welcomed the agreement and said: “adidas is more than just a major business corporation. It is a company which has deep roots in the sport of athletics and has also been a good partner of the IAAF in the past. I am delighted that we are re-signing with adidas, a brand that understands and loves the sport of athletics.”
adidas will continue supporting the IAAF development and continental programmes by providing the most advanced adidas athletics apparel, footwear and accessories. The IAAF Continental Programme enables the IAAF to expand support to its continental regions and adidas will make a very significant contribution to this programme.
