ON Running To Sponsor Athlete Refugee Team At World Champs
ON Running, maker of shoes and apparel, will sponsor the Athlete Refugee Team competing at the IAAF World Championships in London.
Ahead of the IAAF World Championships in London, On Running has announced that they will be sponsoring the Athlete Refugee Team (ART). These runners have fled their home countries because of civil war in South Sudan, Eritrea or Ethiopia and currently train in Kenya. Five members of the team will be competing at the World Championships, which take place August 4-13.
On is providing the team with shoes, running gear and financial assistance to enable them to train as pro athletes. In addition, the company has created the “We Are All One” campaign, centered around the mantra of the team. The mantra is meant to capture the hope and peace that running brings to these athletes.
“I thought I was supporting this team with running shoes, apparel and financial assistance. But in reality, they have supported me, they are supporting us all in understanding the world better,” On Running co-founder Olivier Bernhard said, after one of his many trips to Kenya.
The brand is encouraging Instagram users to upload photos that show where they “celebrate human spirit” in running. Users who share photos using the hashtag #WeAreAllOne could be featured in On’s photo A.R.T. Exhibition. Photos will be on display at the On Embassy’ at the Eight Club London. The exhibit will also feature the works of noted sports photographers, culminating in a charity auction. All proceeds will be donated to the Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation. The foundation promotes peaceful co-existence and social economic development in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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