Athletes rush to endorse sponsors before ban

 
Tom Harper31 July 2012

British athletes have rushed to endorse their sponsors before today’s blanket ban on personal branding during the Olympics.

Potential stars have been tweeting their “thanks” to companies who funded their training before the strict guidelines to protect official Olympic “partners” came into force.

Sailors and swimmers, including gold medal hopeful Keri-Anne Payne, have quietly drawn attention to their key backers over the last few days.

Sailors Lucy Macgregor, Annie Lush and Kate Macgregor — who are competing in the new match racing event — told their Facebook fans: “Last night at home before the Olympics!

"As we won’t be able to say it over the next few weeks, a big thanks to Volvo, Sperry Topsider, Oakley, Brittany Ferries and all our other sponsors, you have been a huge help and we’ll give it our best shot for you.”

Swimmers Sophie Allen and Ms Payne also tweeted thanks to Links of London, the jewellers whom they represent as ambassadors.

Under a charter signed with the International Olympic Association, the Government had to promise to ban athletes from “allowing their name, image or likeness to appear in advertising during and shortly before the Games”.

The ban, which lasts until 15 August, aims to ensure sponsors such as Coca-Cola, BP and Samsung — who have invested billions — get a blank canvas.

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