Brooks responds to post regarding decision to drop Jeremy Taiwo...

In response to the post regarding Seattle-based Brooks Running's decision not to retain 2016 US Olympic decathlete Jeremy Taiwo (left/photo by Paul Merca) for the 2017 season, paulmerca.blogspot.com received a statement from Brooks’ senior sports marketing manager Jesse Williams on the company’s decision:

"All of us at Brooks are huge fans of Jeremy and continue to be inspired by his career and accomplishments in track and field. As a running-only company, we've made the strategic decision to refocus our energy on athletes in running-specific events next year, which means we will not renew our contract with Jeremy for 2017. We wish him the best; Rio was a truly special moment and we look forward to watching him again in Tokyo."

While the company would not elaborate on the statement, it is widely believed that several factors came into play, namely their lack of specific shoes for the long jump, shot put, high jump, discus, pole vault and javelin.  For those events, Taiwo used other brands, but either covered the logos with tape or shoe sleeves, or removed the logos completely.

Taiwo, who was ranked #8 in the world by Track & Field News for the 2016 season, is in the process of reaching out to potential equipment sponsors for the 2017 season.