President Diack and M. Mizuno at the IAAF/Mizuno press conference (© Getty Images)
The IAAF is delighted to announce that Mizuno, one of the world’s leading suppliers of sports equipment, will be an Official Partner of the IAAF World Athletics Series starting at the 10th IAAF World Championships in Athletics in 2005 (Helsinki) and continuing until the IAAF World Indoor Championships in 2008.
Through this agreement, Mizuno will obtain exclusive rights to supply sporting apparel, sporting shoes and accessories for officials and volunteer staff in IAAF World Athletics Series including:
IAAF World Championships in Athletics (Helsinki, 2005)
IAAF World Indoor Championships (Moscow, 2006)
IAAF World Cross Country Championships (Fukuoka, 2006)
IAAF World Junior Championships (Beijing, 2006)
IAAF World Championships in Athletics (Osaka, 2007)
IAAF World Indoor Championships (tbd, 2008)
In addition to supplying their products, Mizuno will manufacture and sell licensed products with the logos of IAAF. Mizuno is also supporting the national team of Japan and domestic meetings as Official Supplier for Japan Association of Athletics Federations.
By becoming an Official IAAF Partner, Mizuno is strengthening its worldwide brand image and will be contributing to the popularization and expansion of athletics, a truly universal sport whose major Championships attract more participating countries than any event outside the Olympic Games.
“I believe that Mizuno, like the IAAF believe in the social and education role of athletics,” said IAAF President Lamine Diack. “Millions of people around the world have a love affair with athletics. Athletics is a sport for all – it provides exciting entertainment for fans and tremendous opportunities for athletes. Athletics at all levels encourages healthier lifestyles and through training and competition, athletes learn vital lessons about life.
All of us at the IAAF are proud of what Athletics can offer, and we are delighted that Mizuno are now part of the family!”
The President of Mizuno, Mr Masato Mizuno said:
“The IAAF World Championships in Athletics is one of the top sports events in the world. It is a great honour for Mizuno to sign an agreement to become an Official IAAF Partner. At Mizuno, our company ethos is based on competitive sport, health and respect for the environment. Mizuno has focused on fostering top competitors in athletics since the launch of the MTC (Mizuno Track Club) in 1989. Since then, world stars like Carl Lewis, Jan Zelezny and Koji Murofushi, amongst others, have reached the top of the sport with the help of Mizuno technology.”