Super 8 Meeting Overshadowed By Sponsor Row
The inaugural Super 8 athletics meeting in Cardiff, the new rebranded series of events created by governing body UKA, has been overshadowed by a row over sponsorship rights which has led to the withdrawal of three leading competitors.
Heptathlete Kelly Sotherton, middle distance runner Hannah England and long jumper Greg Rutherford were all withdrawn from the meeting after the organisers failed to reach an agreement over branding for sponsors on the athletes’ kit.
The trio have individual sponsorship deals with Nike, who wanted their athletes to wear branded kit, but UKA has stipulated that the Super 8 vest carries just the event logo and team name.
UKA said it hoped to resolve the sponsorship issue before the next event, expected to take place next year.
A statement issued by UKA said: ‘There are more than 140 athletes competing tonight in the inaugural Super 8. Personal sponsorship obligations have led to three athletes having to withdraw from the competition.
‘However, we believe we can find a workable solution with all interested parties for the future of Super 8.’
The competition aims to emulate the success of Twenty20 cricket and boost falling attendances at athletics meetings in Britain. A crowd of around 2,500 turned up to watch the inaugural event in Cardiff.
