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 The IAAF is in turmoil following widespread allegations of
corruption and bribery.
"This decision was taken in light of negative publicity associated
with allegations of corruption and doping in sport made against the
IAAF," Nestle said in a statement.
"We believe this could negatively impact our reputation and image
and will therefore terminate our existing agreement with the IAAF,
established in 2012."
Nestle had a partnership with the IAAF Kids Athletics program.
"The IAAF is in discussion with Nestle concerning the final year of
its five-year partnership with IAAF Kids’ Athletics," the IAAF said
in a statement.
"This has been a successful program with 15 million kids aged 7 to
12 years in 76 countries taking part in fun team activities which
promotes a healthy, active life style."
An independent commission of the World Anti-Doping Agency has stated
in a report that "corruption was embedded" at the organization.
The report said that a clique run by former IAAF president Lamine
Diack covered up organized doping and blackmailed athletes while
senior officials looked the other way.
Diack is under formal investigation in France on suspicion of
corruption and money-laundering linked to concealing positive drug
tests, in concert with Russian officials.
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Sebastian Coe, the British former 1,500 meters Olympic champion,
took over as IAAF President last year with the aim of cleaning up
the organization, but the loss of the Nestle partnership is another
major blow.
“Angered and dismayed by today’s kids’ athletics announcement. We
will not accept it. It’s the kids who will suffer,” Coe said.
German sportswear company Adidas AG will also end its sponsorship
deal with the IAAF almost four years early, the BBC reported last
month.
(Reporting by Joshua Franklin and Ed Osmond,; Editing by Dominic
Evans, Larry King)
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