Scandal prompts Adidas to end IAAF sponsor deal – BBC

German sportswear company Adidas AG is to end its sponsorship deal with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) almost four years early because of the scandal surrounding the sport, the BBC reported. The BBC said Adidas, whose 11-year deal made it the biggest sponsor of athletics' governing body, decided against continuing with the contract as a direct result of the doping and corruption allegations that emerged in December. The BBC also said Adidas considers the accusations of corrupt practices within the organisation a breach of their agreement with the IAAF. Neither Adidas or the IAAF were willing to confirm the report, when asked to by Reuters. Adidas would only repeat its standard line about the IAAF scandal: "Adidas has a clear anti-doping policy in place. Therefore, we are in close contact with the IAAF to learn more about their reform process." Adidas, which has a long-running deal with scandal-plagued FIFA, has come under fire for refraining to distance itself from FIFA president Sepp Blatter after Swiss authorities opened a criminal investigation into him. Asked about the Adidas contract, the IAAF issued a statement saying: "The IAAF is in close...

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