IAAF's Coe Says He "Won't Accept" Nestle's Decision To End Sponsorship Deal

IAAF President Sebastian Coe yesterday insisted that he will "not accept the decision" by Nestle to "terminate its sponsorship of the scandal-hit" governing body, according to the AFP. Nestle in '12 became the main sponsor of a program "aimed at promoting athletics for youths worldwide" that was reported to be worth $1M a year. Coe in a statement said, "We will not accept it. It's the kids who will suffer." Nestle said that it was "concerned over fears that the corruption and doping scandals surrounding the sport could damage the company's reputation." The IAAF is "facing crises on multiple fronts, including widespread allegations of corruption and bribery under disgraced" former President Lamine Diack. The defection of Nestle as a sponsor "came after the IAAF admitted last month that it was battling to retain corporate backing, amid reports that Adidas was also walking away." The deal with adidas, signed in '08, was "reportedly worth tens of millions of dollars" and was due to run until '19 (AFP, 2/11).