Li Ning Suspends Deal With Jamaican Sprinter Asafa Powell After Doping Charge

Chinese sportswear brand Li Ning "has suspended its deal with Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell as the fallout from his positive drugs test escalates," according to Sebastian Joseph of MARKETING WEEK. The company said it "strongly" supports the star's "proactive" approach toward the incident and his cooperation with the Anti-Doping Agency, but it has put its deal on hold. In a statement it said: "Li Ning company has always adhered to the spirit of sports, and is firmly opposed to any acts of deceit that tarnishes the principles of fair competition. The company will be following the incident closely and has suspended its sponsorship with Powell pending the outcome of the investigations." Li Ning's announcement comes just days after adidas suspended its tie-up with American 100m record holder Tyson Gay, "who is also being investigated" (MARKETING WEEK, 7/17).