Spar International has extended its sponsorship of European Athletics for a further four years.

Under the new deal, Spar will be the main sponsor of the European Athletics Championships in 2012 and 2014, the European Athletics Indoor Championships in 2013 and 2015, and the annual European Cross Country Championships.

“The championships provide Spar with a cost-effective, good level of brand exposure,” said Spar International managing director Dr Gordon Campbell. “Through our partnership, the Spar brand is closely aligned with energetic and healthy people.”

Last summer’s European Athletics Championships in Barcelona were watched by an estimated television audience of 368 million people and gained Spar blanket sports coverage in the UK thanks to the success of the Great Britain athletics team.