Kilian Jornet for BGR?

[benshep]

that's very kind of them, as commercial organisations, to provide support to people who need it, for no financial return. however, that's surely not the main point of sponsorship.

I'm interested to know where you think sponsorship has gone too far. Can you give any examples?

Some examples of where I think sponsorship has been good for the sport:
- funding innovation in new kit and technology
- reaching a bigger audience (and an audience further afield, internationally)
- funding films on trail, fell, mountain and ultra running
- enabling elite talent to be more dedicated to the sport
- putting money into the organization of races; mostly (I trust) in a responsible and considerate way. many sponsored races do now put an emphasis on respecting the local area, residents, combatting erosion, etc.

Providing support to someone who needs it.

It's been around a long time and I know sponsors out there who provide support to athletes for no publicity.

There's a balance to be had and in some areas I feel the influence of sponsors has gone too far.

[that_fjell_guy]

fellow Salomon athlete Ricky Lightfoot is set to do a round in 2017, apparently. He said after his last one that if he did it again it would be "in the summer" and he has his eye on the record, according to this.

Knowing Kilian's attitude to doing things inclusively, I wonder if they're not both going to try it together......

That'd be the perfect scenario for me. Ricky and Killian pushing each other on. Two branches of the same game holding hands as the touch the Moot Hall!

[dnf]

I think you're confusing sponsorship with philanthropy.

Whats stamp collecting got to do with it.....

[noel]

Whats stamp collecting got to do with it.....

dnf, you always were a cunning linguist.

[dnf]

dnf, you always were a cunning linguist.

Philately will get you nowhere.

[Stagger]

KJ setting off from the clock tower at midday on an anticlockwise attempt.

[anthonykay]

KJ setting off from the clock tower at midday on an anticlockwise attempt.

Stagger knows about this because he is going the whole way round with KJ.

[Witton Park]

that's very kind of them, as commercial organisations, to provide support to people who need it, for no financial return. however, that's surely not the main point of sponsorship.

I'm interested to know where you think sponsorship has gone too far. Can you give any examples?

Some examples of where I think sponsorship has been good for the sport:
- funding innovation in new kit and technology
- reaching a bigger audience (and an audience further afield, internationally)
- funding films on trail, fell, mountain and ultra running
- enabling elite talent to be more dedicated to the sport
- putting money into the organization of races; mostly (I trust) in a responsible and considerate way. many sponsored races do now put an emphasis on respecting the local area, residents, combatting erosion, etc.

This is a thread about KJ and the BGT so this will be my last post on a side issue.

I've already mentioned a branch of our sport in T&F athletics where it is now often impossible to identify runners who all wear the same non-descript vests.

The most obvious case is Premier League football. The sponsors and TV call the shots. It is about who puts the money in and not about sport anymore.
Commercialisation whilst having positives, opens a gap between elite and the sport to almost create a separate sport.

Noel, I think sponsorship has been confused with marketing.
the act of supporting a person, organisation, or activity by giving money, encouragement, or other help

which has increasingly become tied to commercial activities linked with the "sponsor" even playing a role in the competitive program of the athletes / teams.

[noel]

Noel, I think sponsorship has been confused with marketing.
the act of supporting a person, organisation, or activity by giving money, encouragement, or other help

A thought-provoking point WP. And you're right - when I ask for someone to sponsor me to do something, I don't expect to give them something in return.

I think it reflects our worldliness or cynicism that we all know 99% of sponsorship from capitalist companies exists only to get something back.

[mapper]

KJ setting off from the clock tower at midday on an anticlockwise attempt.

Glad he's going round the 'correct' way. Clayton le moors always go round ACW and I'm supporting a clubmate on 10 June starting at 08.00am.

Do you know when KJ is going to do it?