By Mike Rowbottom

omega european_athletics_04-09-1September 5 - European Athletics has announced that it will be extending its partnership with Omega, which will continue as the official timekeeper and data-handling partner for the organisation through 2013-2016.

The championship events covered in the agreement include the European Championships in Zurich in 2014 and Amsterdam 2016 and the European Indoor Championships in Gothenburg in 2013 and Prague 2015. 

Omega will also provide its services for the European Athletics Team Championships, SPAR European Cross Country Championships, European Athletics Under-23 Championships and European Athletics Junior Championships during this four-year period.

The new agreement between the Swiss watchmaker and the governing body for athletics in Europe further strengthens a partnership first put in place with a contract that covered the period 2008-2012.

Commenting on the renewal arrangement, Stephen Urquhart, the President of Omega, said: "In view of Omega's longstanding relationship with the world of athletics crowned by our role as Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games since 1932, we are pleased that we will again extend our expertise and worldwide resources to European Athletics."

Hansjörg Wirz, European Athletics President, added: "We are extremely happy to continue our partnership with Omega for our programme of championships events.

Omega is one of the most renowned global brands, one that fits perfectly with our values, and this agreement clearly shows the attractiveness of our events to the commercial market."

Christian Milz, director general of European Athletics, said: "Omega provides a first-class technical service at our championship events and we are happy they will continue to provide this valued service through an exciting period of sustained growth and development for our sport on the continent."

Omega has been the Official Timekeeper of 24 Olympic Games, starting at Los Angeles in 1932, and has extended its agreement with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) through 2020.

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