Sponsorship clash over athlete's footwear

After a clash between two of the biggest sportswear sponsors of the 2012 London Olympics, it has come to surface that the athletes may have to step up to the podium with no shoes on.  This is all so that they avoid contractual issues with personal sponsors following a row they had with the British Olympic Association (BOA) over marketing rights.

 http://bit.ly/zHpP1D

As we know Adidas are sponsoring Team GB’s official presentation outfit, yet some athletes are being sponsored by leading competitors Nike. The BOA has been told that if Nike’s athletes are forced to wear Team GB’s official ‘presentation outfit’ they may be in breach of their sponsorship contracts.

A representative from Nike told the BOA that the athletes might have to take off their shoes before walking out to the presentation dais. They have agreed that it would be chaos if this rule was agreed and that the athletes are happy wearing the Adidas tracksuits but should be able to wear footwear of their choice.

The BOA has said that the rule that the athletes must wear Adidas’s footwear at all time, including presentation ceremony’s, would be strictly enforced. The rules also state that this rule does not apply whilst athletes are competing as footwear is classed as technical equipment.

GB athletes such as Paula Radcliffe, Dai Greene and Cavendish, who have been loyal to Nike up until now, may find themselves torn between their longtime supporters and their rivals Adidas. A spokesperson for another athlete has said that enforcing these kinds of rules at this time could prove to be a distraction for the athletes and isn’t necessary.

http://bit.ly/xB3CJU

The BOA has said that under the Olympic regulations, they had the right to prescribe and determine the clothing worn by the athletes and the equipment that is used. Due to the legalities, the BOA has to stick to this agreement and the rules outlined in them.

The athletes also have to sign a heavy weighted contract stating that they will agree to wear and use the team kit as supplied by or agreed in writing by the BOA or the BOA’s official suppliers at all times during the Games period. This also includes footwear, in or at the Olympic Venue, which is also the podium.

There have been disagreements by agents and sponsors about this rule. They have argued that in past years there had been a “gentlemen’s agreement” between the footwear companies, and no one really made a big deal about it.

The BOA responded by saying that the rules and regulations had been in place since 2004 and that other Olympic Committees have similar requirements.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/9067763/London-2012-Olympics-GBs-medallists-may-be-barefooted-on-podium-after-BOA-take-tough-stance-over-sponsorship.html