SPAR, International partner with European Athletics, has extended its agreement for the 2017-2019 cycle ©European Athletics

European Athletics has announced that SPAR International, a sponsor of its major events since 1996, has renewed its International Partnership for a further three years, from 2017-2019.

The new agreement follows a successful Zurich 2014 European Athletics Championships that saw a television audience of 358 million – underlining the continued popularity of European Athletics’ flagship championships. The sold-out Prague 2015 European Athletics Indoor Championships also provided great exposure for the SPAR brand.

Svein Arne Hansen, President of European Athletics, said: “As we embark on a journey to change athletics for the better in my time as President, we are very happy that we have such a strong relationship with SPAR to support us in our mission.

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Svein Arne Hansen, new President of European Athletics, has welcomed SPAR International's renewal of its sponsorship for another three year cycle, from 2017-2019, in a period where "ambitious plans" are coming to fruition ©Getty Images

“We have ambitious plans to drive our sport forward in the next four years, to be more visible, to be stronger, and to be a more important part of European culture. I am sure our close relationship with SPAR will ensure we can continue to showcase our main events in the best possible way.

“I want to thank Dr Gordon Campbell, the SPAR International Managing Director, and our Honorary President Hansjörg Wirz, for their hard work in ensuring our partnership continues.”

Dr. Campbell, Managing Director SPAR International said, “The sponsorship of European Athletics’ championship events provides an excellent vehicle for growing SPAR Brand awareness among consumers. We are proud to associate the SPAR Brand with these prestigious athletics championships.

“Our partnership with European Athletics aligns our brand with healthy and energetic young people competing at the pinnacle of sport on the continent. Our support for national and local athletics events provides additional synergy.”

“Christian Milz, Director General of European Athletics, also welcomed the news of the renewal: “This new agreement will mean we will have been in partnership with SPAR for 23 years by the end of 2019. The added value that they bring to promoting athletics in Europe thanks to SPAR’s thousands of stores is of huge importance to us."

During its next cycle of sponsorship, SPAR - the world’s largest organisation of independent food retailers – will be involved with the 2018 European Athletics Championships in Berlin, the European Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade (2017 and, tbc, 2019),  the SPAR European Cross Country Championships of 2017, 2018 and 2019, and the European Athletics Team Championships in the same years.

The current four-year contract sees SPAR as an International Partner for the upcoming Cheboksary 2015 European Athletics Team Championships in Russia in June, SPAR European Cross Country Championships in Hyères, France, in December, Amsterdam 2016 European Athletics Championships and 2016 SPAR European Cross Country Championships in Chia, Italy.