World Athletics is delighted to announce that its partner ASICS has become the official sponsor of the Athlete Refugee Team (ART). The partnership, which took effect in June and will run until 2026, offers training and competition kits and footwear for the elite and U20 refugee teams and for the first time includes access to ASICS training facilities around the world.
Founded in 2016 to provide training and competition opportunities for athletes who had fled violence, conflict and injustice at home, members of the ART made their first competitive appearance as part of the Refugee Olympic Team at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Following that debut in Brazil, the Athlete Refugee Team has competed at nearly every World Athletics Series event since.
This official sponsor contract was made possible due to ASICS&rsquo; commitment to creating &ldquo;Lifetime Athletes in All of Us&rdquo;, the theme of ASICS&rsquo; long-term vision &ldquo;VISION2030&rdquo; on top of ASICS&rsquo;&nbsp;philosophy of &ldquo;a sound mind in a sound body&rdquo;.
Sebastian Coe, World Athletics President, said: &ldquo;I am deeply grateful that ASICS has stepped aboard to join us in this humanitarian venture at a time when the world is witnessing an ever-increasing influx of refugees. Our refugee team programme is making a difference in the lives of many of these talented athletes, who, through the power of our sport, are inspiring millions with their determination to overcome the challenges they&rsquo;ve encountered.&rdquo;
Yasuhito Hirota, President, CEO and COO, Representative Director, ASICS Corporation, said: &ldquo;We are proud to be able to support the World Athletics Athlete Refugee Team. Their courage and determination give dreams and hope to people around the world. ASICS will continue to contribute to a society where anyone can achieve sound mind and sound body through sports.&ldquo;
The World Athletics refugee programme is currently comprised of 32 athletes based in France, Germany, Israel, Kenya, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The team will make its next appearance at the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23 that will take place from 19-27 August.
ASICS has been an Official World Athletics Partner since 2017. Underscoring its commitment to the world of athletics, this partnership was extended in 2019 through to 2029 to ensure ASICS&rsquo; involvement and presence at all World Athletics Series events.
For more information about the Athlete Refugee Team, please visit its <a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletics-better-world/athlete-refugee-team" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://worldathletics.org/athletics-better-world/athlete-refugee-team">homepage on the World Athletics website</a>.
World Athletics

The partnership offers training and competition kits and footwear for the elite and U20 refugee teams and for the first time includes access to ASICS training facilities around the world

ASICS becomes official sponsor of the World Athletics Athlete Refugee Team

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<h1> What is Athletics for a Better World? </h1>
<img src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/61499175051b00b7318b9c30.jpg" alt="" width="100%" />
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<h2>Athletics is the world&rsquo;s sport &ndash; nothing is more simple or universal. This means accepting a global responsibility to use the power and reach of athletics to make a positive difference.&nbsp;</h2>
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That's the driving force behind our landmark social responsibility programme, Athletics for a Better World (ABW), which harnesses the commitment and energy of the worldwide athletics family to inspire lasting change across all segments of the sport and the society that embraces it.
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Propelled by the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and united under a common brand, the ABW platform promotes all World Athletics projects that seek to use athletics as a tool for social good. In recent years those have included:
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<li style="margin-left: 36px;">driving forward the <a href="https://www.worldathletics.org/athletics-better-world/sustainability" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Athletics Sustainability Strategy</a>, a 10-year plan designed to balance the economic, social and environmental impact of our sport and events to ensure we meet the needs of today&rsquo;s generation without compromising the needs of future generations;</li>
<li style="margin-left: 36px;">embed principles of sustainability into the delivery of all athletics events through the <a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletics-better-world/sustainability/athletics-for-a-better-world-standard">Athletics for a Better World Standard</a>, a certification that evaluates and measures an event&rsquo;s achievement in environmental and social sustainable delivery and in delivering the event in alignment with the six pillars that frame our strategy.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 36px;">the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.worldathletics.org/athletics-better-world/air-quality" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Athletics Air Quality</a> project, a broad research campaign to raise awareness about air pollution around the world and the impact it has on elite athletes, recreational runners and the spectators and fans that enjoy our events;</li>
<li style="margin-left: 36px;">support for the world's only year-round <a href="https://www.worldathletics.org/athletics-better-world/athlete-refugee-team" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Athlete Refugee Team</a>, providing high level training and competitive opportunites to athletes who have fled violence, conflict and injustice at home; and</li>
<li style="margin-left: 36px;">the development and promotion of a <a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletics-better-world/safeguarding">Safeguarding Policy</a> that ensures all participants in our sport a safe and welcoming environment.</li>
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Social responsibility and sustainability are key elements of the World Athletics strategic vision that allow athletics to be seen as more than just 'another performance-driven sport' - but rather as something with much more to offer, a true vehicle through which to help build a better world. Through our events, campaigns and social responsibility programme partnerships, we are ready to activate a worldwide network of Area Associations, Member Federations, local organising committees, athletes, volunteers, families, sponsors and public institutions who believe in the values of our sport.
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Working closely with event organisers, World Athletics will provide the leadership so that our stakeholders can add value to their own work by concentrating the synergies of projects in the fields of health, environment, social inclusion and peace.
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<h4><a style="color: #ff873c;">Health</a></h4>
Mass athletics participation activities which contribute to creating a healthier, fitter society, especially for young people.
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<h4><a style="color: #ff873c;">Environment</a></h4>
A healthy environment is the foundation of a healthy society which underpins a resilient economy. Through its Athletics for a Better World Standard, World Athletics will develop, implement and promote event delivery practices that reduce environmental impact and increase social and local economic benefits, challenge some 'business as usual' practices.
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<h4><a style="color: #ff873c;">Social inclusion and athlete safety</a></h4>
We will promote events and programmes that bring people together to help overcome the challenges caused by social inequality and ensure that all participants do so in a safe environment.
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<h4><a style="color: #ff873c;">Peace</a></h4>
By working with external partners, we can ensure there is awareness and advocacy for using sport to bring peace to areas of conflict.

Press Release25 Jul 2023

ASICS becomes official sponsor of the World Athletics Athlete Refugee Team