On the occasion of the SPAR European Cup, the European Athletic Association and Seiko Europe Ltd signed a new technical and sponsorship agreement covering all the major EAA events between 2004 and 2007, including the European Championships to be held in Goteborg, Sweden in 2006.

This new agreement will extend the partnership of the EAA and Seiko to a total of 16 years; the first EAA event supported by Seiko was the European Indoor Championships in 1992. To date Seiko has provided technical services
(notably timing and measurement) at 34 events, including the 1994, 1998 and 2002 European Championships, and the new agreement covers a further 13, starting with the European Indoor Cup in February 2004.

Under the agreement Seiko will provide the timing and measurement technology and services required for the events. At the European Championships, a team of over 40 Seiko engineers will time the event, using the very latest Seiko technology, including photo-finish, transponder-based
systems for the marathons and Seiko’s unique false start detection system.

Mr Robert Wilson, Marketing Director of Seiko Europe Ltd. said, ‘Our partnership with the EAA is central to Seiko’s support programme for sport and we are delighted to renew it. The European athletics scene is very strong at present and we expect to be involved with many great events and
performances in the coming 4 years.’

EAA President Hansjorg Wirz said, ‘We are delighted that Seiko will continue as a partner of the EAA for a further four years. It is important for our events that we use the best available technology and our relationship with Seiko has been a key factor in achieving this. We look forward to this close relationship continuing into the future.’

For more details contact:

EAA Media
Nicolas Russi
tel. +41 79 405 74 05
E-Mail: media@european-athletics.org