ATHLETICS: Next year's Olympic Games in Athens won't see any repeat of the bitter gear row that surrounded the Irish team's participation at the last two Games. It was learned yesterday the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) has agreed a new endorsement deal with Asics, the same company that provides team gear to the Athletics Association of Ireland (AAI).

For the last two Olympics, in Atlanta (1996) and Sydney (2000), the two associations had deals with rival gear companies. The AAI (and formerly BLE) has had a long-standing contract with Asics, while the OCI had deals with Reebok for Atlanta, and then adidas for Sydney.

A public row developed between the two associations with both sides claiming their right to demand Irish athletes wear their brand of gear in competition. Among the many implications was that Sonia O'Sullivan was forced to change from Reebok-issued gear to Asics gear just minutes before her 5,000 metres final in Atlanta.

The OCI's new deal with Asics, which includes the Athens Olympics in 2004 along with the European Youth Olympics up to 2005, will thus prevent any conflict between the two associations on the gear issue for at least the next three years.

OCI president Pat Hickey said yesterday that the new deal with Asics was the first step in a positive countdown to the Athens Olympics.

"From an OCI point of view we are thrilled with this agreement," he said. "It follows protracted negotiations with Asics at their headquarters in Japan, in Europe, and in Dublin.

"We have agreed in principle now to appoint them as our official gear sponsors, and the contracts have been drawn up in the last couple of days. We're delighted as it means there won't be any repeat of the gear row which we saw in the last two Games."

Hickey also pointed out that communications with the AAI have improved greatly within the last year.

"I can say now for certain that we have a superb relationship with the AAI. Our relationship with the Irish Sports Council also is back on track, and with the new Minister of Sport as well. So we're looking forward to a very positive experience at the Athens Olympics."

While welcoming the new deal with Asics, Hickey also paid tribute to the previous deal with adidas, which expired after the Sydney Games.

"I would thank adidas for the input they made. Already I have to say Asics have been wonderful to deal with, and I see this relationship lasting a long time, perhaps beyond the Beijing Olympics in 2008. So thankfully we have no more obstacles in our way."

Eventing, the equestrian discipline threatened with expulsion from the Olympic movement last August, will be included in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.