The company, co-founded by Nick Symmonds, claim to be trying to level the playing field ©Getty Images

Run Gum, a chewing gum company co-founded by two-time Olympian Nick Symmonds, has launched a lawsuit against USA Track & Field (USATF) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).

The lawsuit accuses the bodies of excluding various businesses from sponsoring athletes at United States Olympic Team Trials, which are scheduled to be held from July 1 to 10 in Oregon, in return for advertising exposure on athletes’ competition kit.

Run Gum, who are using the Hausfeld LLP law firm, have stated that currently the only logos that are permitted for the trials belong to kit and equipment manufacturers which have been approved by USOC.

They argue that the rules “prohibit or otherwise limit the type of individual sponsors that track and field athletes can display” on their competition tops, bottoms, leotards, t-shirts, sweatshirts, rain jackets and lower body attire.

While Run Gum are not either a kit or equipment manufacturer, they claim to want to sponsor athletes at the trials in return for the exposure gained by having logos featured.

“We are simply looking to level the playing field,” said Symmonds, who represented the US in the 800 metres at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympics.

“It is completely illogical and unfair to allow a very small sector of the market to have total control over the advertising space on an athlete’s competition uniform.”

The American team were instructed athletes to wear Nike clothing at the 2015 IAAF World Championships
The American team instructed athletes to wear Nike clothing at the 2015 IAAF World Championships ©Getty Images

The lawsuit comes just months after a row between Symmonds and USATF, relating to their mandatory contract which instructed athletes to wear Nike clothing at the 2015 International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships in Beijing.

Symmonds, sponsored by Brooks Running, refused to sign the agreement which prevented him from taking up his space in the team, with the 2013 World Championship silver medallist having qualified by winning the national trials.

In 2012, he auctioned off space on his left shoulder for a temporary tattoo to advertise a sponsor.

Run Gum have stated that they aim to assist and inspire athletes around the world, both through their energy gum and through the money they invest in the sponsorship of athletes.

“At Run Gum, we believe that people matter and performance matters,” said Sam Lapray, co-founder.

“We have helped to motivate and fuel thousands of athletes, and now we want to put cash in their pockets and help them achieve their Olympic dreams.”

The full filed complaint can be found here.

USOC and USATF won't comment on pending litigation.