Seb Coe angered as food giant Nestle terminates IAAF sponsorship over ongoing doping scandal

Food and beverage giant Nestle told the IAAF on Wednesday that it terminated its sponsorship of athletics’ governing body over fears the doping scandal could damage the company’s image.

The announcement came while Adidas remains in talks with the IAAF about its handling of the corruption scandal amid reports the sportswear giant was considering ending its sponsorship.

The IAAF, under Sebastian Coe’s new leadership, is fighting attempts by sponsors to cut their contracts early.

Coe said he was “angered and dismayed” by the Nestle announcement.

“We will not accept it,” he said in a statement. “It’s the kids who will suffer.”

Nestle funded the kids’ athletics program for four years but decided to end the partnership “with immediate effect.”

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“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.”