U.S. Athletes Can Wear Sponsors’ Gear at World Championships

USATF says Symmonds case creates wrong impression about extent of Nike uniform requirements.

By Peter Gambaccini FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2015

The requirement for U.S. athletes to wear Nike-branded apparel at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing is not all-encompassing, and team members with sponsors other than Nike can wear their sponsor’s gear on many occasions during the meet, USA Track & Field has told Runner’s World Newswire.

USATF Public Affairs Officer Jill Geer made those clarifications after six-time national 800-meter champion Nick Symmonds refused to sign USATF’s “Athlete Statement of Conditions” and was left off the team for Beijing. Symmonds, who is sponsored by Brooks, contended the statement’s requirement that team members wear Nike-branded apparel at official team functions could be interpreted to mean the entirety of an athlete’s time in Beijing.