The troubled Athletics World Cup has suffered another blow after Adidas told their stable of athletes that they would not receive any competition bonuses for taking part.
Sportsmail exclusively revealed in May that a number of the sport’s biggest names would not appear at this month’s inaugural edition at the London Stadium over gripes about the absence of prize money and its place in a congested schedule.
Now, in a further difficult episode for its organisers at British Athletics, we can reveal that Adidas has informed its sponsored athletes that the bonuses they would ordinarily receive for appearing in competitions such as Diamond League or major championships will not apply in London.
Sportsmail understands that numerous Adidas athletes have subsequently opted against competing, with the situation exacerbated for the British team, whose kit sponsor is Nike.
Ordinarily an Adidas athlete would be given contractual dispensation by their sponsor to run in Nike kit for their country at certain competitions, but no such exemptions have been made for the Athletics World Cup.
It is an indication of the political challenges British Athletics face in launching what is a genuinely exciting concept. But it is also yet another painful setback for the fledgling event, which will see eight nations face off against one another on two days across July 14 and 15.
The British team itself is expected to be understrength when it is announced on Thursday.
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