U.S. runners at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing said that they "wore non-Nike apparel outside of competition," as USA Track & Field did not require team members "to wear Nike-branded apparel at all times," according to Scott Douglas of RUNNER'S WORLD. U.S. runner Nicole Tully, who is sponsored by French brand Hoka One One, in an e-mail wrote, "It really hasn't been a big deal. ... Plenty of athletes -- and big name non-Nike athletes -- have been wearing their sponsors’ clothing for training." Runner Esther Erb in an e-mail wrote, "I have simply worn whatever I have -- a mixture of Nike USA gear and Skechers gear. I have had zero pushback." Runner Nick Symmonds, who is not at Worlds and remains in a dispute with USATF, has said that he "chastised by American officials" at the '14 World Indoor Championships when he "wore Brooks apparel while drinking coffee in a hotel." No "such incidents in Beijing" have been reported (RUNNERSWORLD.com, 8/31).
MODEL NEEDS TO CHANGE: In Chicago, Philip Hersh writes USATF "sold its soul to Nike" with its most-recent sponsorship deal. The lack of commercial competition for those rights "exacerbates the declining interest in sponsoring individual athletes." U.S. shot putter Adam Nelson, who also serves as Track & Field Athletes Association VP, in a text message wrote, "The funding model for athletes in the U.S. doesn't support great performances at the major championships. It instead supports a larger administrative staff and other obligations beyond high level performances at the majors. As long as athletes in the U.S. have to choose global (invitational) competition to monetize third party endorsement contracts, the performance of US athletes at major competitions will largely be an afterthought and inconsistent" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/1).
