IAAF President Sebastian Coe said that the athletics federation will not "let Nestle walk away from an agreement that benefits millions of young people and trainers without a fight," according to Gene Cherry of REUTERS. The Swiss food company said last month that "it would end its partnership" with the IAAF Kids Athletics program because of "widespread allegations of corruption and bribery in the sport." Coe "disputed Nestle's move." Coe said, "We saw no justification in the way they went about their termination. They were not a global partner. This was actually removing the opportunity for thousands of young people, millions of young people across 15 different countries, and in the space of one year removing the ability to coach and train three-four thousand coaches and trainers." Nestle said in its February statement that it believed the allegations against the IAAF "could negatively impact our reputation and image and [we] will therefore terminate our existing agreement with the IAAF, established in 2012." Coe "reacted strongly" to the termination at the time and he promised to "continue to fight" for the program. He said, "I am still slightly bemused by the decision given that their issue is about reputation, yet at the height of the Lance Armstrong issue they re-signed with the Tour de France. You were left being a little confused by their motives." The BBC has reported adidas will "also end its sponsorship deal with the IAAF almost four years early." Coe: "Adidas is staying with us through 2016 and we will keep talking to them" (REUTERS, 3/21).
