DHAKA: Adidas, the biggest sponsor International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), has told athletics' world governing body it is to terminate their sponsorship deal four years early.

The sportswear giant informed the IAAF of its decision - understood to be a direct result of the doping scandal sweeping the sport - last week, reports the BBC.

Sources have told the BBC the move will result in tens of millions of dollars in lost income to the IAAF.

It is sure to come as a major blow for embattled president Lord Coe. Neither Adidas nor the IAAF has made any comment.

But Olympic gold medallist Darren Campbell said the decision would have a major impact on the sport.

"It's one thing to say we won't be renewing our contract after 2019 but to actually terminate your contract now... seven, eight months before the start of the Olympic Games," said the Briton. "This is huge."

Adidas informed the IAAF in November it was considering ending their relationship early after a report detailed claims of "state sponsored doping" within Russia.

BDST: 1409 HRS, JAN 25, 2016
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