byLarry EderConstantina Dita made a huge gamble when she made her move at halfway in Beijing, and went on to win the Olympic marathon title. One of the most prolific and successful women marathon runners on the circuit. ASICS has signed her for the next four years, according to her management team, Boulder Wave, Inc.
ASICS head of global marketing Masao Hijikata, Constantina Dita, and Boulder Wave President Brendan Reilly following the contract signing in Tokyo. (Photos courtesy of Boulder Wave, Inc.)
Olympic Marathon Champion Constantina Dita Signs Four-Year Deal with ASICS
March 26, 2009
Athlete management firm Boulder Wave, Inc., and ASICS Corporation have announced agreement on a new four-year sponsorship contract for 2008 Beijing Olympic Marathon gold medalist Constantina Dita.
The Kobe, Japan, sporting goods company has provided Dita with her footwear and clothing since 2003, and has had sponsorship agreements with her since 2004. The renewed sponsorship deal will cover Dita from 2009 through 2012, thereby including the 2012 London Olympic Games. Under the terms of the agreement, Dita will wear ASICS shoes and apparel in all of her competitions and training, aside from international championships in which she is representing her native Romania.
Boulder Wave has represented Dita since the summer of 2002. In these seven years, she has had one of the world’s most illustrious distance running careers, capped by the victory at last summer’s Olympic Games. Highlights have included gold, silver, and bronze medals at the IAAF World Half-Marathon Championships; a bronze medal at the 2005 IAAF World Championships marathon; numerous Romanian national records; and a half-dozen appearances on the top three podiums of World Marathon Major events, including three each at London and Chicago.
In announcing the sponsorship, Masao Hijikata, ASICS head of global marketing, commented: “We are very proud and happy to continue our relationship with Constantina. She has been a wonderful athlete, and always a positive person to be associated with. When she won in Beijing last summer, it marked the third straight time a woman in ASICS shoes has won the Olympic marathon [Naoko Takahashi in 2000 Sydney, Mizuki Noguchi in 2004 Athens]. We look forward to supporting Constantina through to the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Constantina Dita comments: “I am very happy to continue my long relationship with ASICS. I have worn ASICS shoes for every major success in my career, including all of the world championship medals, road race victories, and of course also the gold medal in Beijing last summer. I love the shoes because I have worn them in hot races, cold races, rain…every condition, and never had any problems in my feet or legs. I also appreciate that the ASICS staff has stayed loyal to me, helping me not only in my best races, but also during the occasional difficult time. With this new contract, I can concentrate on my training and racing, and look forward to the possibility of another medal in London 2012.â€
From Brendan Reilly, president of Boulder Wave: “ASICS has been extremely loyal to Constantina over the years, and she is very happy to continue this relationship for the next four years. The equipment and shoes have obviously worked very well for her throughout the past six years of her career, and the financial security of the new contract will allow her to concentrate on her training through to the London Olympics.â€
For further information or inquiries, please contact Brendan Reilly at Boulder Wave, Inc., +1-303-554-0597 (Office), +1-720-280-2689 (Mobile), E-Mail boulderwave@comcast.net
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